Sunday, September 4, 2022

The Best Coaches

Keywords: Coaching, Sun Tzu, "The Art of War," John Thompson, Bill Belichick, Bear Bryant, Dean Smith, John McKay

"Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack." - Sun Tzu, The Art of War


Great coaches are lifelong learners and teachers. Everyone has ideas about their makeup. Here are a few:

1. Coaching begins with relationships. We have a myriad of teams, from our family, to coworkers, city, and beyond. Entrepreneur Richard Branson describes them as circles. Our coaching 'circle' can extend around the globe. Relationships flourish with clear communication, respect, and empathy, the ability to understand how others feel. Coaching decisions lead to strong emotion, excitement and disappointment. Hard work doesn't guarantee a starting position or a big role on a team. Lack of hard work usually assures their absence. 

My wife and I celebrated our fortieth wedding anniversary in Maine with my high school coach Sonny Lane and his wife Paula. Maybe it's no accident that one of our daughters is Paula. 

2. Great coaches get the most from their players. Some said of Bear Bryant, "he can take his'n and beat your'n or your'n and beat his'n." 


Two men, Coach Bryant and USC Coach John McKay, literally changed history with a football game. 

3. Great coaches have teams that don’t beat themselves. Pressure degrades performance. Teams that maintain performance under adversity become memorable and sometimes champions. Coach Bob Knight says, "basketball is a game of mistakes." The ability to help teams limit mistakes helps separate elite from excellent coaches. 

4. Great coaches and players aren't made with cookie cutters. When players move on, I share with them, "there’s value in playing for different coaches. Learn new philosophies, substance, and style. Take what you find are the best qualities and bring them forward." 


5. Great coaches share character and competence. Coach Etorre Messina says, "character is job one." Great coaches do not breed scandal and controversy. 

6. Great coaches lead. They help take players and teams where they cannot go by themselves. They raise players to higher levels by inspiring them, by training and teaching them, and through accountability. The leader who says, "I take no responsibility" is no leader. "Leaders make leaders."

7. The best coaches teach players to be professional in all areas. When asked what was necessary to succeed in her profession, Helen Mirren said, "First, be on time. Second, don't be an A*hole." Phil Ford set his watch ahead ten minutes to be on Dean Smith Time. Professionals prepare well, practice hard, play with effort and focus, and assess their performance objectively. 

8. Great coaches are curious. They ask, "what if" and anticipate what can and will go wrong and what they can improve upon. They aren't "know-it-alls" but "learn-it-alls." 

9. Great coaches simplify and clarify. They teach not so players understand concepts but so that players cannot misunderstand. Don Meyer said that coaches go through three phases - blind enthusiasm, sophisticated complexity, and mature simplicity. Teach players to "fall in love with easy." 

10.The best coaches are relentless. They bring joy, passion, and love for their players and the game. They are there for their players. 


Great coaches ask great questions. Remember these from Michael Useem,
  • What went well?
  • What went poorly?
  • What can we do better next time?
  • What is the enduring lesson?
Lagniappe (something extra). 


When I think of Kevin Eastman, I think first about his habit of reading two hours a day. And when I think of Coach Raveling, I think first about his book on rebounding and second his breadth of reading. 

Lagniappe 2. A thread on small-sided games (SSGs). SSGs allow more touches and help coaches see both individual skills and how players interact with and impact other players. 


















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