Coaches can influence players positively and negatively. Telling a player or team, "I believe in you," can make all the difference.
That doesn't mean that coaches should oversell players. But when we confirm our belief in a player, it can be transformative. Players remember genuine expressions of confidence in their work and progress.
At the end of her eighth grade season, I told Cecilia Kay, "you are the best player I have coached in twenty years of coaching." I encouraged her to represent Melrose in the postseason league all-star game. She was the leading scorer with 24 points. She followed that up with four years as an All-Scholastic and was one of six McDonald's All-America nominees from Massachusetts.
Transformative techniques:
1) "Speaking greatness." "That was great BUT" underperforms "That was great AND..." Kevin Eastman says, "you can't fool kids, dogs, and basketball players."
2) Video. "Video is the truth machine." Showing players positive video shows proven success. And Bill Parcells says, "confidence comes from proven success."
3) Media recognition. 'Statistical leaders' get regular media attention. Noting players who get less 'ink' supports players who impact winning yet may be less well known.
Lagniappe. Bill Walsh changed everything for John Lynch.
Your words and belief in someone matters.
— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) April 23, 2024
In 1994, John Lynch was a backup safety at Stanford. For 3 years, he'd barely played.
He wanted to quit, but that year, Stanford hired Bill Walsh as its head coach.
One call with Bill changed everything for John.
He called and said, "I… pic.twitter.com/QbZbeLHICw
Lagniappe 2. 1-4 low BOB with screen-the-screener
4-Flat BLOB
— Matt Hackenberg (@CoachHackGO) April 24, 2024
Rise ⤵️
Back screen ⤵️
Screen the screener
BALL GAME! 🥜 pic.twitter.com/urUwk08fs0
Lagniappe 3. Get separation with one dribble.
1 Dribble Live
— Reid Ouse (@reidouse) April 24, 2024
Try this out. pic.twitter.com/lhcg2KIJCD
Lagniappe 4. Sacrifice.
Jayson Tatum on what it means to be on a winning team
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) April 24, 2024
"Everybody has to sacrifice to be on a great team... No individual stat or accolade can measure up to being on a winning team that's having fun"
pic.twitter.com/zb84jsdNyB