One of the most powerful things you can say to build a winning culture is, “We don't do that here.” #DailyWisdom pic.twitter.com/fVHPt9981V
— Ball is Psych (@BallisPsych) June 12, 2025
We live in a dos and don'ts universe. "Do this, don't do that." Find something to steal.
Non-negotiables aren't just for players. Think about it.
- Inspire. Lift people up.
- Be positive. "You cannot make a positive life with a negative attitude."
- Bring energy. Practice with a dead fish, play like one.
- Be prepared. Asking players to be prepared if we're not...
- Simplify. You can "have everything." Nobody can use everything. We've all been guilty.
- "Never be a child's last coach."
Non-negotiables for players
- Punctuality. Be on time, stretched out, mentally engaged.
- Listen. Be an elephant (big ears).
- Know your job. How can you expect to play if you don't know what to do?
- Be detail-oriented.
- Decisions define destiny - shots, turnovers, defense.
- Challenge shots without fouling.
- Be coachable
Points to ponder...
- Kindness matters.
- Empathy means trying to understand how the other person feels.
- Think "what does our team need now?"
- Ask "how can I help?"
Lagniappe. From Jamie Bechler's "The Leadership Playbook":
"During the 2015-16 season, Kwahi Leonard shot 44.3% from the three-point arc. Only J.J. Redick and Steph Curry shot better. Considering that Leonard was First-Team All-NBA, that hardly seemed strange. However, a few years earlier he had been a very poor shooter. I his two years at San Diego State University, he shot 20.5% and 29.1% from the three-point arc. It is a testament to Leonard's coachability and work ethic that we was willing to honestly evaluate his game and his goals."
Lagniappe 2. If it doesn't matter, cut it out.
Jay Wright's philosophy on practice
— Coach the Coaches (@WinningCoaches) July 2, 2025
~ via @TheCoachJournal pic.twitter.com/VhKWnxhim3
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