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Monday, September 9, 2024

Basketball: The First Rule of Coaching



Art imitates life. The underrated Firefly series and Serenity inform the paradox of Captain Malcolm Reynolds, usually saying the wrong things and doing the right things. 

"Do you know what the first rule of coaching is?" Love. 

1) Coaching is a relationship business. Establish relationships with players and parents. I've been in touch with my high school basketball coach for over fifty years. 

2) "They won't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Start simply. Greet every player every day by name and with a smile. 

3) "Never be a child's last coach." When a program's numbers are in decline, what's the reason? 

4) "Mentoring is caring." "How can I help?" comes before "I believe in you."

5) "Don't beat yourself up. There will always be someone else to do that." Finding critics won't be hard. As Jerod Mayo says, "Don't take criticism from those from whom you wouldn't take advice." 

6) "I am your mentor and your tormentor." Part of coaching is tough love. When players know you add value and support, they will embrace criticism. 

7) Networking reflects caring. Let players know that we enthusiastically write recommendations and contact coaches on their behalf. 

Lagniappe. "Movement kills defenses." Ball reversal and paint touches move defenses and create separation and chances for defensive errors. 
Lagniappe 2. What's hard for young coaches? Same as the things that older coaches learned.