Coaches share points of emphasis, absolutes that we believe change outcomes.
There's no universal list.
1) Stops make runs. Teams don't overcome deficits or extend leads by trading baskets. Excellent teams find ways to get stops and bad teams find ways to surrender hoops.
2) Defense begins with ball pressure. Make life hard for the person guarded. Guard like the person you hate to be guarded by.
3) Basketball is a fight for space. Create space on offense to reduce doubles and to open driving and passing lanes. Shrink space on defense to take them away.
4) Create possession enders, players who can finish plays both on offense and defense. Scores, stops, steals, rebounds, and assists define us.
5) Be aware of time, score, and situation. It doesn't matter until it matters. Painful losses most often result from a blend of bad decisions and poor execution.
6) Help your teammates. Cover 1.5. Move without the ball. Open gaps. Never cut to an occupied post.
7) Talk. Talk engages, talk energizes, talk intimidates.
8) Touch. Studies show that teams that touch more, win more. Think of the pictures of Tim Duncan with his arm around Tony Parker.
9) Be "performance-focused, feedback-rich." Coaching is not criticism, it's instruction on how to do better next time.
10)Be a great teammate. Are you the best teammate you can be? Be in the game, ready if called, and supportive at all times.
*Bonus - "Basketball is a game of separation." Create separation on offense and deny it on defense.
Lagniappe. ChatGPT shares its opinion about being a great teammate:
Being a great teammate centers on commitment to shared goals, support, and selflessness. In sports and life, it's about showing up, being dependable, and prioritizing the group's success over individual gain. For families, this means providing unconditional support, celebrating each other's strengths, and growing together through challenges. A great teammate listens, respects differences, and recognizes that each role—whether visible or behind the scenes—makes an impact.
In terms of resources, like ChatGPT, a teammate offers knowledge, encouragement, and adaptability. This means engaging not just to answer or assist, but to contribute thoughtfully, learn from interactions, and elevate the people around you. Whether in sport, family, or any collaboration, a great teammate recognizes that shared success is a reward that strengthens everyone involved.
Lagniappe 2. Maravich.
The "pendulum swing" drill, to improve ball touch & fingers strength
— The Courtside Vault (@CourtsideVault) November 12, 2024
Demonstrated by the great Pete Maravich pic.twitter.com/0V7hyM9Agl
Lagniappe 3. Some coaches step up to take credit and step back to assign fault. Man up.
Bill Belichick said, "Ultimately I felt like when the team played bad, it was my responsibility."
— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) November 12, 2024
"I think it's always best to take a look at yourself and do what you can do to help the team."
Accountability always starts with you first.
You choose to lead by example. pic.twitter.com/Q2phxyeiko