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Sunday, June 16, 2024

Basketball: Paired Words

Words have power. Combinations enhance them. Everyone has likes and dislikes.

Managed expectations. "Exceed expectations, don't manage them." Managers and coaches sometimes seek to dampen expectations in order to reduce pressure on teams or themselves. The perpetual "five year plan" can result in self-fulfilling plan of underachievement. Give teams excuses to fail and they may adopt them. 

Unlimited potential. Young players suffer the 'curse of unlimited potential'. Early achievement doesn't guarantee Anson Dorrance's "continual ascension." Players get sick or injured, unfocused, lack commitment or develop burnout. 

Pleasantly unsatisfied. Set the bar high and challenge players and teams to achieve. Amidst a lengthy winning streak and deep postseason run, Coach reminded us, "I'm pleased but I'm not satisfied." As coaches, unless we ask for more, it's hard to get more. 

Unconditional love. Family gets unconditional love. Legendary Cal Rugby coach Jack Clark preaches 'conditional love'. Players earn praise and compliments for doing the right things, the right way at the right time. 

Worthy competitor. Nobody wins all the time. Coaches want players to "represent," being worthy competitors, reflecting the philosophy and teaching of the coaching. Teams that back down or quit under pressure create frustration beyond talent limitations.  

Wildly inconsistent. Bring consistent effort, consistent toughness, consistent demeanor to the court. When neither coaches nor teammates know "which guy" will show up, disruption occurs. 

Unanswered prayers. Coaches wait a lifetime to get "the guy," and then it create concerns about fairness, minutes, respect, and more. When you get the ultra-talented, committed player with a career arc of exceptional performance, cultivate her growth. 

Broken promises. Don't make unkeepable promises. Challenge young players to be their best by relating play to progress in minutes, role, and recognition. What happens at the 'next level' is beyond our control.  

Humiliation repaid. Teams at the bottom of the heap don't stay there forever. When their time arrives, don't expect mercy if you've shown none. Lack of sportsmanship will come back to bite you and don't expect sympathy. 

Don Meyer described coaching progression:

1) Blind enthusiasm

2) Sophisticated complexity

3) Mature simplicity 

Essentials.

Value added forges buy-in. Habits bridge goals and results. Better habits add value and get buy-in. Trust and loyalty are not givens of a title. 

Quality shots. Our shots. Good shots. The fastest path to improvement is taking better shots at the 'scoring moment'. Players need to know what is a quality shot for themselves and for each of their teammates. 

Rigorous tinkering. Coach for twenty years and evolve. Like players, our arc of excellence changes and the mission is continual growth. "Do more of what works and less of what doesn't. 

The only 'secret sauce' is to love the game and care for the players. 

Lagniappe. 

Lagniappe 2 Basketball is a 'game of separate and finish'.  

Lagniappe 3. Build our tradecraft and defense. 

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