The Value of "Showing Your Work"

How we arrive at solutions matters. By showing our work, we reveal our thought processes, good and bad. Find ideas to adopt and make yours. 

As teens fifty years ago, we played a lot. That fostered skill development and competition, but not much individual skill teaching, strategy, or pick-and-roll play. 

Jump ahead five decades. Pull up video of Kobe (jab step), Iverson (crossovers), Chris Paul (Professor Pick-and-Roll), Olajuwon (post actions), Durant (soup to nuts). When you've done the work, others see your work. 

Develop a catalog of actions; master a handful. Your bechamel (e.g. jab and cross) becomes mornay (wing series). 

From Quora

Learn micro skills...study video from Kevin Eastman. 

"Shoulder's game...low man wins." 

Read defenders. Head turners and ball watchers plus awareness. 

Cut like D-Wade. 

Have a plan on defense. Anticipate. Pressure the ball. Be opportunistic to take charges and get steals. 

Study elite defenders like Kawhi. Watch their footwork, handwork, eyes. He goes for steals on the 'downstroke' of the dribble. I went for steals on the return off the bounce. 

Players have tells. You "see" the clock in their head saying, "shot time." Or they keep showing their hands asking for the ball. If you're defending well, they start pushing off to get open. You're in their head. 

 

Develop micro skills.

• "Show your work." She reminds me of ______."
• "Shoulders game..."
• "Cut like D-Wade."
• "Defend like Kawhi." 
• "Players have tells." 

Lagniappe (something extra). If we can't contain the ball, we won't be good defensively. Do the work against good offense.