Impact winning. Minutes, role, and recognition flow from winning.
Older fans may remember UCLA beating Memphis State in the 1973 NCAA title game where Bill Walton scored 44 points on 21-22 shooting. I remember Greg Lee dishing out 14 assists.
To be remembered, impact winning. Excellent coaches do more than challenge players to improve. They add value in that process.
Winning the battle of the Four Factors is part of that. UCLA overcame turnovers by making a lot of shots.
What considerations should young players have?
1. Play harder for longer than opponents. That's physical and mental.
2. Be the smarter team every night, not missing assignments, making the right reads, protecting the ball, taking quality shots.
3. Avoid bad fouls. Don't bail out bad shots, perimeter shots, and allow high points/possession (free throws).
4. Get the best shooters more shots in their spots. Remember the wisdom of Pete Carril, "bad shooters are always open."
5. Play the tempo that the game and your coach dictates. Coach Wooden said, "the game is meant to be played fast." When you have the better talent, more possessions favors you. Underdogs seldom benefit by playing fast.
6. Figure it out. Study the game. Success follows doing the right things, the right way, at the right time. Low basketball IQ teams don't win big.
7. It's not going to be your night every night. If you're not scoring, find other ways to make a difference.
8. Be a great teammate. It's a choice. Great teammates increase energy, positivity, and happiness.
9. "Once superstars are unselfish, everyone else can be." - Eddie House Sacrificing "numbers" for winning is an easy trade for winning players.
10.Make a difference on both ends. Learn to contain scorers, talk, block out, get some deflections and steals, or take charges and force your way onto the floor. Coaches see who does the 'grunt work'.
What's the enduring lesson? Impact winning.
Lagniappe. Reduce limitations.
Teach players how to Drive not just Dribble 🎒
— Ganon Baker (@GanonBaker) February 24, 2024
When you drive and you want to get space learn these 4 skill sets
1. Change Direction
2. Change Pace
3. Change deception
4. Use force
That’s how you get space
🏀 GET AFTER IT 🏀 pic.twitter.com/H4YumWYzUH
Lagniappe 2. Adapt football rules.
2018 Iowa State Offense—12% Rule pic.twitter.com/c3ob6Tb1BW
— Pace N Space (@PaceNSpace2) February 24, 2024
Set 'lower goals' for turnovers committed, bad shots, and transition hoops allowed.