Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Pre-Mortem Examination

What could possibly go wrong? With basketball season upon many, it's worth thinking about. 

The pre-mortem examination presumes that our chosen plan of action fails and asks us why and how? We use the results to immunize our plan. 

Execution integrates:

  • People
  • Strategy
  • Operations
We're told that our plan failed. 

People. "Get the right people in the right seats on the bus." 
  • Acquire better players (keep them in our program)
  • Work relentlessly on player development. 
  • Develop a 'sixth man' and other depth. 
  • Were injuries or illness factors? 
Edge. Keep the talent home. Develop relationships with youth coaches, young players, and their families. Some will leave but more will stay.

Strategy. Know 'technique beats tactics'. 

  • Match our people to our strategy. What's our combination of power/inside game, perimeter, and speed/transition? 
  • Simplify. Be willing to do fewer things to get more. 
  • Analyze what works for our team - e.g. play types, defense
Edge. Superior player development. Have a drill book. Edit and revise.

Operations
  • "Do well what we do a lot."
  • Better shot selection.
  • Strive not to beat ourselves. 
  • "Reduce turnovers - better decisions, execution, or both
Edge. Reduce mistakes - turnovers, shot selection, fouls, missed defensive assignments. 

Checklist
  • Do we have a clear plan with an edge? 
  • Get everyone on the same page.
  • Verify (in writing).
  • Mentoring (be one, have one).
Lagniappe (something extra). Player development. 

Lagniappe 2. Be grateful; give back.  

Lagniappe 3. 

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