Saturday, October 5, 2024

Becoming a Better Coach

“Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be.” - Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 5, Shakespeare

Most coaches want to be better. Not everyone has the will, knowledge, or time to do so. Here are a few ideas from one who worked at it.

1. People skills. Coaching is a relationship business. First cliche' - "players don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Listen. Give and get feedback. 

2. Framework for improvement. Dr. Fergus Connolly has a great structure:

- Skill (technique)

- Strategy (tactics, game knowledge)

- Physicality (athleticism, strength, and conditioning)

- Psychology (the head game, resilience)

Effective coaches have at least partial mastery of all the above. "Every day is player development day." 

3. Philosophy. Have one. Make it authentically yours. Mine was TIA - teamwork, improvement, accountability. Players and coaches should understand that value arises from making those around us better. 

4. Mentoring. Find a mentor. "Mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence." They don't even have to know. 

5. Study greatness. Greatness traverses domains. Greatness occurs in coaching, playing, literature, leadership, other sports, you name it. Director Werner Herzog says, "Read. Read. Read. Read. Read." Here are a few recommendations:

Legacy, James Kerr (about the New Zealand All-Blacks) 

Leadership in Turbulent Times, Doris Kearns Goodwin (Presidential leadership - Lincoln, the Roosevelts, LBJ)

The Legacy Builder, Rod Olson ("Speaking Greatness")

Leonardo da Vinci or Benjamin Franklin (Walter Isaacson)

The Leadership Moment, Michael Useem (assigned reading, UNC Women's Soccer)

Toughness, Jay Bilas

6. Make friends with the dead. Over 93% of humans ever alive... are dead. If we don't have 'dead friends' we ignore Dean Smith, Wooden, Newell, Auerbach, Don Meyer, Knight, Carril, and so many more.  

7. Video. "Video is the truth machine." Learn how to watch basketball and break down the details. Adam Spinella and others...

8. Watch other coaches practice. If you ask politely, most coaches will agree and be flattered that you asked. I feel incredibly fortunate to have seen Geno Auriemma and Brad Stevens. 

9. Attention to detail. Be detail-oriented. Players won't know what you know. You won't know what they know unless you quiz and verify what they know. Everyone must be on the same page. Good teams find ways to win. Bad teams find ways to give games away. 

10.Revise. Director Ron Howard says, "the movie is made in the editing room." Everything is subject to revision - drill book, play book, etc. 

And yes, a lot of the skills needed to coach better are the same ones needed to play better. 

Lagniappe. The life of Riley. 

Lagniappe 2. More education.  

Lagniappe 3. "The apple never falls far from the tree."  

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