Monday, June 30, 2025

Filling Our Basketball Quote Bag

We never know when players listen. We remember events best in an emotional context. The dynamic interaction of the amygdala and the hippocampus sear powerful memories into our core. 

Can we activate the amygdala (our emotional hub) and deliver core messages to our players? My daughters had a terrific coach who would sub out players after a negative or selfish action, saying, "that's not how we play." Conversely, I remember "extreme effort" plays...the 50-50 balls that some girls turned into 80-20s. Anson Dorrance calls that "competitive fury."



Some quotes change lives. Coaching privilege gives us the opportunity to share those moments. These quotes have meaning. 

"A player's most important quality isn't skill."

"How you play is how you live." 

"The summit is not the only place on the mountain." 

"Our choices define us." (Decisions determine destiny.)

"Everyone can be a great teammate." Make that choice. 

"The best players make others better."

"The magic is in the work." 

"Don't cheat the drill." (The best players never do.)

"Become the best version of yourself."

"We can always give more."

"Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson



"Remember the guys who quit? Nobody else does either."

"Invest your time don't spend it."


"Chop wood; carry water." - Zen proverb

"Do more of what is working and less of what isn't."

"Is what you're doing now getting you closer to where you want to be?"
  

Lagniappe. Offseason opportunity... 

Lagniappe 2. Competition according to Pete Carroll...