Adam Grant's "Rethinking" podcast: Notes from "why mistakes are our greatest teachers" with chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley.
Ashley is a member of the US Chess Hall of Fame and the first African-American grandmaster.
Ashley's mother preached, "desire for excellence, focus is a key for success." Restated, "Excellence comes with focus."
At 33, preparing for the Grandmaster deciding match, he understood his mother's words were inspiring and meant to be positive not critical. "Chess picked me."
As you progress through the post-season, ask players how specifically they can make a difference. The post-season is no time for "I know, I know," and "it's okay," when players make bad plays.
1. Take great shots...no 'shot turnovers'. Even great shots won't always go in.
2. Avoid bad fouls - don't foul jump shots, bad shots, and bail out shots. Remind players, "show your hands," not grabbing or reaching in.
3. Take care of the basketball. Pass away from defenders. Live ball turnovers turn into transition points.
4. Cut urgently. "Basketball is a game of separation."
5. Up your "talk on defense." Talk energizes and intimidates and helps prevent easy baskets.
6. Review how many go to the glass and defensive transition roles. Fast break points change momentum.
7. Use whichever hard-to-defend actions that your team executes well.
- Pick-and-roll
- Complex screens (stagger, screen-the-screener, Spain)
- Hard cuts - give-and-go, back door
- Dribble penetration
- Favorite sets
𝐊𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) March 6, 2024
"Preparation doesn't guarantee a result. It just guarantees growth."
Preparation matters because:
• You are your habits.
• It builds your foundation.
• It's where growth happens.
• Details make big differences. pic.twitter.com/kABvjgoUTZ
