"Beyond Basketball"

Coach Mike Krzyzewski wrote Beyond Basketball and elaborates on key words from BELIEF, to CARE, and EXCELLENCE. 

He shares examples of the words. For example with EXCELLENCE, he discusses how Elton Brand and Shane Battier were different players but excelled in performance and recognition and each won National Player of the Year in different seasons. 

Coach K advises players to become the best version of themselves by always doing their best. This reminds me of Don Miguel Ruiz and his 4th agreement in The Four Agreements, "always do your best."  

These are some examples of the words Coach K discusses:

Passion

Poise

Pressure

Pride

Respect 

Selflessness

Standards

Talent

Trust 

Will 

Work 

It's easy to dismiss "soft skills" as not 'executable' as clearly as ball containment, court communication, rebounding, screening, or shooting. It's easier to dismiss claims that "I'd take a 2-star recruit with a 5-star work ethic over a 5-star recruit with a 2-star work ethic any day."

Without soft skills such as belief, commitment, focus, resilience, and selflessness, the chance of success for players and coaches is negligible. 

It's not either, or. Players require measurables - athleticism and skill, and intangibles - game understanding and resilience. Inspiration and aspiration alone can't compensate for preparation and perspiration. 

The challenge is to identify and to develop the high character, elite athlete. 

Lagniappe. "How you practice is who you are." 

Deion Sanders said, "I want to see you practice. Because how you practice is who you are."

Greatness starts with your preparation.
• Embrace the boredom of consistency.
• Put in the work.
• Put in the time.

5 Ways the Elite Prepare:@thewinningdiff1pic.twitter.com/lcxbysEHDo

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) October 2, 2024

Lagniappe 2. How much does it mean to you? 

Pat Summitt said, "It just depends on how much it means to you."

"You can't be afraid to go out and compete and do whatever it takes."

You get results when your commitment is greater than what you feel.

It means perseverance, consistency, and focus. pic.twitter.com/CJpZWKP1sB

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) October 1, 2024

Lagniappe 3. Find concepts to borrow. 

COACHING CLINIC: Coach Lason Perkins (@CoachPerkins) shares modern actions from FIBA and NBA teams for European Ball Screen Offense.

🎥https://t.co/86noEARDsu pic.twitter.com/9n9UGWsslN

— Coach Tony Miller (@tonywmiller) September 23, 2024