There's no perfect list because reading is a matter of taste. Currently, I'm reading James Patterson's 4th of July which I picked up from a neighbor's "book birdhouse." A NY Times article suggested reading fiction is important for preserving brain function and who doesn't need that? Off we go.
It is better to reread a great book than to finish reading ten bad ones. Some books have excellent content yet are poorly written so won't make the cut.
Game Changer by Dr. Fergus Connolly. Connolly shares both the big picture of how sports are organized and the granular details that impact winning. It's a must read for serious coaches.
Legacy by James Kerr. Kerr examines the ethos, culture, and leadership of the legendary New Zealand "All-Blacks" rugby team. Players learn to 'sweep the sheds' and "leave the jersey in a better place." There's no place for players unwilling to sacrifice for the good of the club. I've read it more than three times.
The 15 Lessons in Legacy are:
Character, Adapt, Purpose, Responsibility, Learn, Whanau, Expectations, Preparation, Pressure, Authenticity, Sacrifice, Language, Ritual, Whakapapa, and Legacy.
The summary on the back of the book really emphasizes the key themes of the book:
“Champions do extra. They sweep the sheds. They follow the spearhead. They keep a blue head. They are good ancestors. In Legacy, best-selling author James Kerr goes deep into the heart of the world’s most successful sporting team, the legendary All Blacks of New Zealand, to reveal 15 powerful and practical lessons for leadership and business. Legacy is a unique, inspiring handbook for leaders in all fields, and asks: What are the secrets of success – sustained success? How do you achieve world-class standards, day after day, week after week, year after year? How do you handle pressure? How do you train to win at the highest level? What do you leave behind you after you’re gone? What will be your legacy?”
How Good Do You Want to Be? It's impossible not to have cognitive dissonance about Nick Saban. He's charming and obnoxious, warm and sanctimonious, generous and flawed. But "How Good" shares a lot of what's under the hood for maybe the greatest college football coach in history.
The Smart Take from the Strong by Pete Carril. The Princeton legend shares his thoughts on hard work, relationships, and the value of finding "lightbulbs," players who light up the court with their presence.
Toughness by Jay Bilas. Toughness is a skill for life. Bilas' book evolved from a classic ESPN.com article. He shares many 'specifics' that apply to every game ever played. "It's not your shot, it's our shot."
The Politics of Coaching by Carl Pierson. Coach Pierson lays bare the subterfuge and conflicts of almost every imaginable situation. Parents use protective behaviors like preventing rising freshmen from working out with the team. Coaches seek to undermine other coaches to steal their job. Carl discusses the value of objective measurements of strength and conditioning so when parents ask why Susie didn't make the team, you can say, "she was 45 of 45 in speed, jumping, and strength testing."
Basketball: Multiple Offense and Defense by Dean Smith. If stuck on a desert island with one basketball book, I choose this.
Making Decisions by Ed Smith. Smith shares his detailed thought process as English cricket selector. He has invaluable insight into personnel selection, psychology, and applying analytics from differing leagues.
Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Who has time to read books with 900 plus pages like her Team of Rivals about Abraham Lincoln. "Leadership" is the Cliff Notes to her books on FDR and Teddy Roosevelt, Lincoln, and Lyndon Johnson, warts and all. Coaches are leaders and nobody is entirely self-taught.
Lagniappe.
One spring, the Old Coach addressed his team by saying, “Before you spend a lot of time preparing yourself for the ‘next level,’ be sure you spend enough time preparing for ‘this level’.”
— Coach Battenberg (@TerryBattenberg) May 16, 2023
Here's an excellent AI take...
Certainly! Here's a summer reading list for sport coaches that covers a range of topics including leadership, psychology, strategy, and personal development:
"The Inner Game of Tennis" by W. Timothy Gallwey - A classic that explores the mental aspects of sports performance and the role of self-awareness and focus.
"Wooden on Leadership" by John Wooden - Insights from legendary basketball coach John Wooden on leadership, character, and achieving success on and off the court.
"The Power of Positive Leadership" by Jon Gordon - A guide to cultivating positive leadership skills and creating a winning culture within a team.
"Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck - Dweck explores the concept of growth mindset and how it can transform the performance and potential of athletes.
"The Captain Class: The Hidden Force That Creates the World's Greatest Teams" by Sam Walker - Investigates the characteristics and behaviors of successful team captains and their impact on team performance.
"Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life" by James Kerr - A study of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team and their culture of excellence, emphasizing values, leadership, and teamwork.
"Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman - Explores the dual processes of the mind and decision-making, offering insights into cognitive biases and how they can affect coaching strategies.
"The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How." by Daniel Coyle - Investigates the science behind skill development and offers practical strategies for unlocking talent.
"The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership" by Bill Walsh - The late NFL coach Bill Walsh shares his leadership philosophy and strategies for building successful teams.
"The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups" by Daniel Coyle - Examines the importance of culture in creating high-performing teams and provides practical tips for fostering a positive team environment.
"The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance" by Josh Waitzkin - A memoir by a chess prodigy and martial arts champion, exploring the process of learning and achieving mastery in any field.
"Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't" by Simon Sinek - Investigates the role of leadership in creating a culture of trust and cooperation within a team.
Remember, this list is just a starting point, and you can tailor it to your specific interests and coaching style. Happy reading!
AI generates an impressive list (I've read nine of these). Professor Kahneman answered an email sharing, "I can't believe anyone read the whole book." (Tedious)
Lagniappe 2.
Having a strong work ethic will make up for a lack of talent.
— 90 Percent Hoops (@90percent_hoops) May 16, 2023
You may not be the tallest, strongest, or most athletic player out there. But you can outwork the players that do have those advantages over you.
🏀🙇♂️