Learn from coaches in different sports. Fergus Connolly introduces us to coach John Kavanagh in his book, 59 Lessons. Kavanagh is an Irish pioneer in Mixed Martial Arts and coached Conor McGregor.
What are the transferrable takeaways from Kavanagh/Connolly?
- Find and exploit edges.
- Practice must impact winning.
- Time is our most precious and finite resource.
Practical applications:
- Edges include size, speed, or skill (e.g. create mismatches)
- Situational practice (BOB, SLOB, ATO) informs edges
- Listen to what players share.
- Improvement is part of our job.
- Ask players what they feel more or less comfortable playing
- Have a personal improvement plan (reading, writing, MasterClass, film study)
- Kavanagh, like UNC Coach Anson Dorrance, creates a 'competitive cauldron'
- Habits and "automatic play" free up "working memory" which is limited.
Practical applications:
- Make drills competitive ("competitive standard")
- Repetitions automate (developmental actions like box drills, wing series)
- Play up (versus better competition, e.g. UCONN women vs men)
Summary:
- Find and exploit edges (e.g. mismatches, team strengths)
- Make more drills competitive, the "competitive cauldron"
- Practice must impact winning
- Listen to players
- Have a personal improvement plan
Lagniappe. Coach Hanlen with defensive microskills.
A few of mine:
- Get statistics on your side (don't gamble excessively and put your teammates at a disadvantage)
- Limit fouls (show your hands)
- You don't have to block shots to disrupt them
- Defense doesn't mean passivity (attack mentality)
- Take charges via legal guarding position and anticipation