Friday, October 18, 2024

Coaching Myths

The MasterClass on the CIA discusses myths about the CIA, including that it's a rogue agency, unaccountable to anyone. What "coaching myths" would you dispel?

1) Coaching is easy. That reminds me of the Ernest Hemingway quote, "Writing is easy. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." 

2) Coaching is easy money. Done properly, it's a large outlay of time and effort for low wages. I never took a salary, sponsored teams in tournaments, and had catered end-of-season gatherings. It was never about money. 

3) Coaches have favorites. This might be true. Coaches have favorites - players who show up early, prepared, who listen, work hard, are good teammates, and are coachable. Who would have guessed? 

4) Parents are the problem. I won't say that every parent liked me. Few would acknowledge it to me personally. Parents should advocate for their children. It's fair to explain that you agree and that you are responsible for all the players not just one. 

5) Great players make great coaches. There's no easy answer. John Wooden is in the Hall of Fame as a player and coach, as are Tom Heinsohn, Lenny Wilkens, and Bill Sharman. Great coaches like Dean Smith, Bob Knight, and Gregg Popovich were good not great players. Coaching and playing require different skill sets. 

Let's ask ChatGPT. 

1. "Yelling and intensity equals better coaching"

  • Myth: The louder and more intense a coach, the more motivated and disciplined the team will be.
  • Reality: Yelling may grab attention, but it doesn’t always foster improvement. Great coaches balance intensity with calm, instructive teaching moments. Athletes often respond better to clear communication and understanding, especially under pressure. Emotional intelligence in coaching is often more effective than volume.

2. "If you played at a high level, you can coach at a high level"

  • Myth: Being a great player naturally leads to being a great coach.
  • Reality: Many high-level players struggle with coaching because teaching requires different skills, including communication, patience, and the ability to break down fundamentals. Successful coaching is often about relating to players at various levels and helping them improve their game, which doesn’t always come naturally to former elite players.

3. "The best teams run complex plays"

  • Myth: The more intricate the playbook, the better the team will perform.
  • Reality: While having a diverse set of plays is useful, over-complicating systems can confuse players and slow down execution. Simplicity with clarity often wins out, especially in high-pressure moments when quick decisions are required. The best coaches teach concepts rather than just scripted plays, allowing players to adapt and read situations.

4. "Offense wins games, defense wins championships"

  • Myth: Defensive dominance is the ultimate key to winning championships.
  • Reality: Defense is crucial, but so is scoring. Teams that win championships often excel at both ends of the court. Offense and defense are interdependent. A great defense can spark offensive transitions, and an effective offense can limit the other team’s scoring opportunities by controlling tempo. It's not just about one or the other but how they work together.

5. "Drills alone will make players better"

  • Myth: Running a lot of drills in practice guarantees skill improvement.
  • Reality: Drills are important, but mindless repetition doesn't lead to mastery. It’s about quality, not just quantity. Players need to understand the context of why they’re doing a drill and how it applies to real-game situations. Coaches who emphasize deliberate practice—focused, intentional improvement—get better results than those who simply run players through routines.

6. "You need a big team to win"

  • Myth: Size is the most important factor for success.
  • Reality: While having height can be an advantage, the game has evolved. Teams that emphasize speed, skill, and versatility can often outmatch taller teams. Modern basketball values shooting, spacing, and positional flexibility, showing that smaller lineups can thrive, as seen with successful "small-ball" strategies in recent years.

7. "Great coaches always stick to their philosophy"

  • Myth: The best coaches never deviate from their core coaching philosophy.
  • Reality: Adaptability is often the mark of a great coach. Sticking rigidly to one philosophy can backfire, especially if the talent on the team or the evolution of the game doesn’t align with that approach. Great coaches adjust based on their personnel, the competition, and the flow of the game.

8. "The best players make the best leaders"

  • Myth: The most talented players are natural leaders and should always be captains.
  • Reality: Leadership is about more than talent. Some of the best leaders aren’t necessarily the best players but are those who inspire their teammates, communicate well, and bring out the best in others. Coaches who assume their top scorer will be their best leader may overlook valuable leadership potential elsewhere on the roster.

9. "Every mistake needs to be corrected immediately"

  • Myth: Coaches must correct players’ mistakes as soon as they happen to prevent bad habits.
  • Reality: Constantly stopping practice to correct errors can disrupt the flow and prevent players from learning through experience. Sometimes, it’s more effective to let the play continue, then address patterns of mistakes during a break or in film sessions. Players learn resilience by figuring things out on their own at times.

10. "Winning is the only measure of success"

  • Myth: The only thing that matters in coaching is whether you win.
  • Reality: Winning is important, but the best coaches know that development—both on and off the court—is just as crucial. Helping players grow in confidence, teamwork, and discipline can be just as rewarding as winning a championship. Successful programs often see long-term success by focusing on culture and individual improvement rather than just the scoreboard.

 Lagniappe. Eastman's first word. 

 Lagniappe 2. Redick early playbook. 

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