Ted Lasso sums up the narrative arc of coaching in the finale. He evolves from total ignorance to Total Football over the course of three seasons.
The team gradually learns the four principles of Total Football as they traverse the hardscrabble path to Premier League success. These apply for most team sports.
1) Conditioning. "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." Like Pete Carril, I believe in conditioning with the ball. Fast break drills and shooting drills like 3 x 3 x 3 condition and train execution.
3 x 3 x 3 - usually run for five minutes. This helps conditioning and shooting. Passer calls out player's name to help communication.
2) Versatility. Basketball doesn't have a DH, pinch runners, or pinch hitters. Position players need both offensive and defensive skills. Similarly in basketball, you have to perform at both ends.
Admittedly, some players achieve renown while giving less contribution on one end, usually defense. The casual fan may respect them but I think the diehard wants effort and contributions on both ends. Hustling back on defense, fighting through screens, diving for loose balls, and contesting shots aren't the sole province of dirt dogs.
3) Awareness. CARE - concentration --> awareness (anticipation) --> reaction --> execution. Studies of top players in soccer show they scan the pitch more often and more quickly than mediocre players. In basketball, I've called that VDE with vision leading to decisions and execution. Awareness increases with practice, experience, film study, and mindfulness training. Most professional apply all. Why not start younger?
4) Believe. Many of us have experienced the privilege of playing for or coaching championship teams. Bill Walsh said, "winners act like winners before they are winners."
“Winners act like winners before they’re winners…The culture precedes positive results. It doesn’t get tacked on as an afterthought on your way to the victory stand. Champions behave like champions before they’re champions; they have a winning standard of performance before their winners.”Belief comes with other names - trust, confidence, faith. Winning requires many inputs and belief is among them.
1: Relationships First
— Greg Berge (@gb1121) November 17, 2024
Great coaches, first and foremost, care about their players.
They work hard to build positive relationships with all players.
They know relationships are the heartbeat of great teams.
Lagniappe 2. Footwork (long). Save for another time.
7 Best Drills To Teach Elite Basketball Footwork
— Joe Haefner | Breakthrough Basketball (@BreakthruBball) November 17, 2024
In this video, you are going to learn 7 of the best drills to teach elite footwork to players of all ages. These drills are great for players of all ages, from youth through high school.
All coaches know that effective offensive… pic.twitter.com/cgzp2exTeZ
Lagniappe 3. Coach Dags asks the question, "Varsity or JV."
JV OR VARSITY
— Steve Dagostino (@DagsBasketball) November 18, 2024
This question is going to come up a ton across the country this month. So many players are on the cusp of playing varsity or jv.
There are so many variables to what is best for the kid and the program, but every case should be looked at individually.
Some… pic.twitter.com/BiMrZmoTAR
As a high school sophomore baseball player, I asked to be demoted to JV to pitch. I couldn't see how watching varsity would improve me. The following season, I lost the opener with a one-hitter (a triple lost in the sun) against the team that eventually won the State Championship.