Learn from other people's mistakes. Network to learn, to share, to help players advance, and possibly to help your career. "Mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence." Find one thing to steal.
Add value. Don't be delusional about our place. "The tail doesn't wag the dog." Relationships based on respect and listening have a better chance.
Where to begin? Expand our community and refine our processes/systems.
- Local basketball community
- Higher levels when possible
- Social media groups
- Social media individuals
- Global outreach
Learn locally. Within the local basketball community, find coaches to study. Ask to watch their practice. "Pick their brains" and bring a notebook. Seek what worked for them and what hasn't. Most coaches enjoy sharing with other passionate coaches.
Study higher levels. If you can watch a 'next level' practice (e.g. college or professional), do it. Watching Geno Auriemma coach a UCONN practice, we saw key points:
- "There are no shortcuts."
- Operate at a higher tempo.
- Set the highest expectations.
- Sweat the small stuff.
- Elevate the competition (UCONN practices against men)
- Track everything (e.g. free throws, shooting efficiency)
Leverage online resources. There are wonderful online resources (e.g. blogs, Facebook groups, Twitter feeds) where experienced coaches share.
- Facebook groups - many great resources, some public, some private requiring an invitation (find what suits you). "Be curious not judgmental."
- Twitter feeds - Coach DeMarco has an interactive feed and weekly questions
- Chris Oliver shares video, training, and more
- Zak Boisvert goes everywhere
- Coach Drew Hanlen has daily training videos
- Model the behaviors we want to teach.
- Establish your non-negotiables.
- "Every player on your team has a story." How are we shaping their story?
- Can we get a player on the blueprint to excellence?
- Don't operate out of fear. Talent is not the same as buy-in.
- Are we holding people to our standard?
Cover the world. Explore FIBA (e.g. Coaches Education)
Zoom! Some coaches establish regular meetings online to share education and philosophy. In my online interview with Kristen McDonnell, an outstanding boys coach from Norwood, Massachusetts, she shared belonging to such a group. Coach McDonnell won four state titles coaching girls. Her boys' team is 16-2 and ranked in the top 10 in their division.
Play. "Hammer action" uses weak side flare screens to open up a perimeter shooter, most commonly a corner 3.
This is a play from Coach David Blatt.
Drill. Calipari shooting drills.
Summary:
- Mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence.
- Add value through sharing.
- Start locally.
- Expand through online communities.
- Go global.
- Zoom!
Lagniappe. "Basketball is a game of separation."
Lagniappe 2. It's not enough to understand basketball. We have to understand people and politics.