Everyone needs rules. STOP signs and traffic signals exist not to limit our freedom but to keep us safer.
In the Navy, I'd tell subordinates, the first rule is "make your boss look good." As an intern, don't embarrass the Senior Resident.
In investing, Warren Buffett says, "the first rule is don't lose money. The second rule is never forget the first rule."
Don't make my advice your rules. Encourage guidelines that work for you. Inform the players and families about rules and expectations. Coach Wooden explained that all his decisions wouldn't be correct but they would reflect what he believed was best for the team. It's not the Rosetta Stone, but here are a few ideas.
1. Don't make too many rules. The more rules, the more infractions, and the harder to apply equally.
2. Be transparent. I've always coached girls. Avoid awkward situations. Parents were welcome at practice, pre- and post-game meetings. It was middle school basketball not the National Security Agency. Your situation may be different.
3. Don't discuss other players with parents. Everybody wants to hear that their kid is great. Few want to hear superlatives about other people's kids.
4. An open door doesn't mean 24/7/365. Emotions may run high after games about results, roles, and minutes. Have a cooling off period that you specify. Lincoln had his "hot letters" (never signed, never sent). So should we. If you have to say something controversial, have another adult there to witness.
5. Acknowledge mistakes. If winning were my top priority, I would have a shorter roster, played the weaker players even less, and played more zone. The pope is "infallible" on faith and morals. Coaches aren't infallible about anything.
6. Work on getting a thicker skin. Director Mira Nair said, "a director needs the soul of a poet and the hide of an elephant." Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton used to brush his skin with a horsehair brush seeking a leathery quality. We need some of that.
7. Prioritize player development every day. Build skill and competition. Can you have too many good players? I'd like to experience that.
8. Coaches are economists. Economics is about the allocation of scarce resources. There are only so many minutes, shots, and praise available. Dean Smith made it a point to spread around praise to lesser luminaries who contributed to winning. That's good practice. Teach players to credit teammates and coaches. Everyone likes to be appreciated.
9. Results come from skill and luck. "Luck is the residue of design" and "chance favors the prepared mind." Do what we can to get both on our side. Emphasize special situations (BOBs, SLOBs, ATOs, best action versus man and zone, time and score).
10. Make it about the players. "Are we building a program or a statue?" Our legacy is the life success of our players. They are watching us model behavior.
Helen Mirren was asked what was the key to success as an actor. "Be on time. Don't be an a**hole." Sounds good.
Summary:
- Have a cooling off period.
- Prioritize player development.
- Coaches are economists allocating limited resources.
- Spread praise around.
- Emphasize special situations.
- Make it about the players.
Lagniappe. Player development.
Lagniappe 2. Xs and Os.
Lagniappe 3. Film study. South Carolina/North Carolina
Misdirection, throw behind.
Horns set with pick switched, rescreen creates an open two.
"Water the flowers." When the big runs hard in transition, pay her.
Lagniappe 4. Advice from Del Harris in Winning Basketball Defense
- Have a great transition defense. Control the fast break.
- Prevent scores by dribble and cutter penetration.
- Attack the rebound and loose ball. Control the second shot baskets.
- Rotate to cover/prevent open men. Control the open shot.
- Force the opponent to make an extra pass or play.
- Talk on defense.
- Help on defense. Be willing to give yourself up on defense.
- Defend against all penetrations. A good player is always in position to defend his man, the ball, and the foul lane.
- Have the courage to be physical, to put bodies on people, to make the first hit on blockouts and to challenge cutters.