Friday, October 28, 2022

Become a Better Coach. Practical Advance and Triple Bonus Material

What would make us better coaches? 

Raise communication skills (verbal, nonverbal, writing). 

  • Make our point. Don't bury the lede.
  • Ask better questions.
  • Get feedback on communication.

Teach better. "But you're not a teacher." As a doctor, I teach every day, about diagnosing and treating problems, lifestyle and choices. I've been an Assistant Professor at a medical school, and won the Resident Teaching award while in medical training. 

Use the Feynman technique - name it, explain, research, and simplify.

Need resources, try "The Coach's Guide to Teaching." Check out the summary. 

Add more value. The recipient decides the value. "Perception is reality." Players and families want the triad of minutes, role, and recognition. Coaching provides tools like skill, knowledge, resilience to help them earn those...

Get more buy-in. Be an influencer. Learn about influencing. 


Borrow from classics, like Cialdini's "Influence." Choose what might work for us.

  • Authority. Use competence to sell our program. 
  • Likability. Be relatable.
  • Reciprocity. The more you absorb, the more we can teach.
  • Scarcity. Back to the triad of minutes, role, and recognition. 

Enhance player development skills. 

  • Get baseline data and measure progress. "Winners are trackers." 
  • Study lessons from development guys. The Net has video from great teachers like Drew Hanlen, Kevin Eastman, Jay Wright, Don Kelbick, and many more. Study, take and record notes in our notebooks. 
  • Ask mentors for recommendations. "What worked for you?" As a coach, do you help a coach who asks for help? Of course we do. 

Simplify. When we add, cut. Teach to the level of the group. Have players explain 'easy' concepts.

  • What is spacing?
  • How do we defend the elbow pick-and-roll?"
  • Describe a back door cut. 
  • What is "legal guarding position?" 
  • How do YOU get separation with or without the ball? 

What wouldn't make us better? 

  • Bigger ego 
  • External validation (mentions, awards)

In other words, we become better by growing our skills and other's. Validation doesn't make us better although it's appreciated.

Lagniappe. Decoy your intentions. Play slow to fast. 

Lagniappe 2. Defending on- and off-ball screens is tough. 

Lagniappe 3. Fair and equal aren't the same. 

 

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