Everyone has blindspots. What are they? How can we find them? I want to suggest a few but obviously this only scratches the surface.
1. Failure to follow our own advice. "Find mature simplicity." It's easy to have too many sets, too many BOBs and SLOBs which young players can't absorb.
2. Forgetting "technique beats tactics." Remember that development is our first priority and the Newell triad of footwork, balance, and maneuvering speed never go out of style.
3. Not editing out the obsolete. "Obsess the product." Do a few things well that we do a lot and do more of what is working. When we add new drills and actions, subtract less productive ones.
4. Having too thin a skin. "You need the soul of a poet and the skin of an elephant" as director Mira Nair says. Coaches are lightning rods for dissatisfaction. That's part of the job.
5. Living in the past. "Let it go." Current players don't know Frank Sinatra from Frank Ramsey...nor should they. Stay culturally relevant to reach out to them.
6. Virtue signaling. David Brooks wrote the "Road to Character." It's a hard read. But early on he acknowledges his failings and suggests we develop eulogy virtues over resume virtues. "But people on the road to character understand that no person can achieve self-mastery on his or her own. Individual will, reason and compassion are not strong enough to consistently defeat selfishness, pride and self-deception. We all need redemptive assistance from outside."
7. Staying humble. Ben Franklin attempted to master virtues. Of humility he said something like, "If ever I should master humility, I surely would be proud of it."
8. Failing to see failure. Rhetorically, which is harder, "doing the right thing" or investing time on justifying why we didn't?" Ego is the enemy.
9. Lack of specifics. Play hard, set up your cut, be tough, "read the play" and other statements don't tell players 'this is what we do and how we do it." Know that and know how are not the same.
10.Imbalance. Seek balance in work and life. Is that not a key theme of Severance?
Summary:
- Simplify.
- "Every day is player development day."
- Revise and cut.
- "Soul of a poet and hide of an elephant..."
- Virtue signaling and virtue are not the same.
- Cultivate humility.
- Don't justify being wrong.
- Know that and know how are not the same
Blindspots are a lot like jokes, leading from the unexpected to the inevitable truth.
Lagniappe. Develop a shooting program that works for you.
