Friday, September 30, 2022

Basketball: Moments of Quality, Crossing the Red Line, and Quadruple Lagniappe


 2006 Middlesex All-League team included future WNBA player Shey Peddy (far left) with Melrose teammates Paula and Karen Sen

Help make "moments of quality" for players, teams, and communities. They happen with and without us. They happen on and off the court. 

In Above the Line, Urban Meyer described "crossing the red line," onto the playing field. Be ready, fully engaged at practice or games. The "red line" exists everywhere:

  • Walking into the library
  • Entering the classroom
  • Opening a book 
  • Getting out of the car at work
  • Starting an audition
Cross the red line daily as coaches:
  • Write a gratitude note to a mentor, peer, subordinate. 
  • Share with other coaches.
  • Study video.
  • Read within and outside our specialty areas.
  • Revise and edit our drill book, play book, teaching files.
  • Mentor a young coach. 
Reinforce mental toughness for ourselves and others
  • Mindfulness builds learning and memory, reduces stress hormones
  • Reflect on identity. "This is who I am."  
  • Reflect on performance. "This is how we do it."
  • Cement confidence with a mental highlight reel. Visualize success. 
  • Teach others strategies like these for mental toughness. 

Make small moments of quality. 

Lagniappe. "I can do this." 


Lagniappe 2. Great players "draw 2" to free teammates. 


Lagniappe 3. Discipline defines destiny. 

Lagniappe 4. "Mouse in the house" from horns. 

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