Basketball: Theory of the Case

Learn across domains. Develop persuasive arguments. 

"Findings of fact are necessary to a resolution of disputes between parties. The function of the trial is to resolve factual disputes. One cannot overstate the importance of the facts. Advocacy skills alone, without thorough preparation and mastery of the facts, will not win a case. There is no substitute of thorough and rigorous preparation. While, of course, there must be preparation of the law, the more important preparation is the preparation of the evidence, the gathering of the facts and the marshaling of the evidence in a persuasive manner to establish the facts."

People are subject to cognitive bias and prone to errors. For example, social media and 'popularity' influence our beliefs, even when confronted by facts. The quality of an argument should stand on its own rather than on personality.

Move ahead or fall behind. When our team struggles, we need a 'theory of the case' to find solutions. Basketball has its own set of 'laws'. Taking credit for success and blaming players for failure misrepresents our world. It's self-serving to blame the talent constantly. And know exactly how many people feel sympathy for our team problems. 

Few coaches have the confidence and the character to ask others for help. 

Be consistent in our self-assessment. If it doesn't impact winning, then "bin it." 

• Skill
• Strategy
• Physicality
• Psychology

Skill. Because we can't recruit, develop. Sell the plan to players and leverage their buy-in. 

The best activities combine offense, defense, decision-making, conditioning, and competition. That means PLAY, a lot. 

Strategy. Match the size, athleticism, and skill of our team and our ability to teach with a plan to maximize scores and stops. The answers won't arrive on stone tablets. It's not enough to say "we're working hard in practice." Expect our opponents to work hard, too. 

Physicality. Have an offseason strength and conditioning program. Encourage players to work out together. If you have the juice, demand it. 

Psychology. Teach mental toughness through competition, mindfulness, and combinations of affirmations and visualization.

Lagniappe. Like X's and O's. Who doesn't? 

X's and O's:
Alabama Pistol backscreen https://t.co/vMlPdO81bD pic.twitter.com/13Y4gVQU7G

— Basic Basketball (@basicbball_) February 18, 2024

Lagniappe 2. Hard coaching is part of success. 

6. Too hard on the kids?

Polgar believed in the power of self-education.

Once a child unlocks mastery in 1 field, doing it in other fields becomes easier. A skill that will serve them throughout their lives.

So pushing them early in life would eventually help them.

— thenicketan (@thenicketan) February 22, 2024