Basketball informs universal themes as well...
- Teamwork
- Commitment
- Preparation
- Sacrifice
- Communication
Why do these values matter?
Teamwork. An African proverb says, "We can go faster alone but farther together." I read that 73 percent of aviation accidents occur on the first day a crew works together. Teamwork isn't automatic, taking time and belief.
It's no coincidence that faith (belief) and patience (time) flank the top of Coach Wooden's Pyramid.
Teamwork can be awkward. In Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin shared how Abraham Lincoln included Seward, Bates, and Chase in his cabinet for the good of the nation during the Civil War. Find assistants with complementary skills. Cookie cutters don't craft great teams. Everyone can't be a great player; everyone can be a better teammate.
Commitment and discipline allow us do what we don't want today in order to facilitate what we want tomorrow. Great habit formation (pick, stick, check) elevates performance. Bob Woodward discussed his path as an investigative journalist. A sign on his desk read FAA - focus; act aggressively. He invests extra time cultivating sources. He seeks the best version of the truth and hammers it home in his writing. Excellence means unrequired work, often four hours beyond a full work day.
Preparation. Cooking 'mise en place' means laying out all the ingredients and cookware in advance. Coaches who create drill books, practice schedules, and teaching file videos create sustainable competitive advantage.
Spreadsheet templates remind us of what we've found helpful. Consider investing a few minutes after practice to write down what went well. Our teams always got better with 15 minutes of O-D-O (offense-defense-offense) segments beginning with either a BOB, SLOB, or free throw special situations.
Sacrifice. My favorite basketball quote comes from Phil Jackson, "basketball is sharing." Excellent teams have shared vision, shared leadership, and shared sacrifice. When 'stars align', each sacrifices - usage, shots, sometimes money toward winning. Some players cannot delay gratification and gravitate to 'the life' with partying, alcohol, and substance use. They won't be champions.
Communication matters on and off the court. Communication demands clear thinking and expression. If players don't communicate at practice, they won't during games. Teach them the value of verbal, written, and nonverbal communication. It's hard. Hemingway said, "Writing is easy. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."
Jon Gordon shares 21 ways to be a great teammate in The Hard Hat.
Lagniappe. "Every day is player development day." Coach Hanlen demonstrates separation principles.
Lagniappe 2. Since the All-Star break, Tatum is one of three players -- Kevin Durant and Devin Booker the others -- to average 30 points while shooting 50% from the field and 40% on 3s. - Bobby Marks, ESPN+ on 25 Under 25
Lagniappe 3. Xs and Os. "Movement kills defense." Pascal Meurs shares how an Iverson cut leads to a weakside backdoor lob through ball reversal.