Monday, March 14, 2022

"I Want to Become a Better Coach" - Plus Triple Lagniappe

Keywords: Coach development, Superforecasting, Training, Basketball            

"I want to be a better coach." Commit to a process. 

Let's extrapolate from Superforecasting by Phil Tetlock. Training forecasting is an analog for training coaches.  

  • Training (develop skill, reduce biases, get specific techniques)
  • Teaming (learn from others how to examine data and propose solutions)
  • Selection (score people on results, hold them accountable)
Training. Training includes game knowledge, player development (technique), strategy (tactics), teaching, and communication skills. 
  • Read (books, blogs, coaching newsletters) 
  • Watch and break down video (educational and game) many coaches start their training in the video room
  • Attend practices of skilled coaches 
  • Doing. Repetition applies for coaches, too. Player development doesn't magically happen. Coaches explain and demonstrate (this is limiting for a senior citizen) while assessing the player imitation and repetitions. 
Teaming. 
  • Get a coach (mentor). Nobody knows everything. 
  • Find coaching groups online. Facebook has many public and private coaching groups. 
  • Develop online relationships with area coaches
  • Consider a 'Zoom' online group. 
Selection. 
  • Monitor progress. At some levels, that might mean winning, but for others it tracks growth and performance. 
  • Get input from your mentor on strengths and need areas.
  • Get feedback from players. "What can I do better?"
No single measure defines coaching proficiency. 

Great coaching development advice lightly modified from a Superforecasting summary:
  • Focus time and effort on advancing your growth
  • Unpack problems: what limits you? Knowledge, experience, resources?
  • Divide your time among differing areas of study.
  • Revise beliefs to calibrate your new learning.
  • See the other side of the argument. 
  • Reject the 'sure thing' and think in terms of uncertainty.
  • Avoid boasting. Be humble.
  • Learn from positives and negatives.
  • Teach specifics to bring out the best in others. 
  • Try, fail, analyze, revise. Keep going.

    • Lagniappe (something extra). Defense blends athleticism, technique, alertness, and basketball savvy. Coach Castellaw shares great points. 
    • Analogy to 'cornerbacks' hip turn and run
    • "See both" 
    • Be a learning machine. 


    Lagniappe 2. 

    Lagniappe 3.  


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