80 percent of drivers say that they're better than average. The other 20 percent have higher rates of depression. I think a similar poll of coaches would yield similar results.
Learn every day, open to acquiring new ideas and revising existing beliefs.
Achieve superior coaching results
1. Do the Work
- Do an apprenticeship with an established coach.
- Coach to gain experience.
- Study the game (Books, courses, video, Clinics).
- Journal.
- Get mentoring while coaching.
2. Get better players
- Recruit within your community.
- Recruit others if applicable and permitted.
3. Excel at player development (PD)
- Study PD trainers (e.g. Hanlen, Brickley, Kelbick, et al.).
- Use PD consultants.
- Develop a personal drill book, training manual
4. Teach better
- Create a video clip library.
- Study teaching (e.g. Teach Like a Champion, The Coach's Guide to Teaching, Game Changer.
- Self-assess (After Action Review, film and review practice).
- Seek permission to watch established coaches' practice.
5. Learn strength, conditioning, and recovery
- Study on your own.
- Subcontract out to others (individual or group training).
6. Master the Head Game
- Search Inside Yourself (Book)
- UCLA Mindfulness site
Lagniappe. Assist from ChatGPT Plus
Basketball Coaching as a Holistic Discipline
When we discuss basketball coaching, focus beyond plays, drills, and the scoreboard. The best coaches know the game runs deeper. Coaching is a holistic discipline. It connects body, mind, and community to develop players who excel in basketball and in life.
The Physical Game
At the most visible level, basketball demands skill and fitness. Holistic coaching builds athletes’ bodies with an eye toward long-term health as well as peak performance. That means teaching sound mechanics to reduce injuries, balancing power with endurance, and emphasizing the basics—nutrition, recovery, and rest.
The Mental Game
Basketball is a game of decisions. Holistic coaches help players sharpen their basketball IQ: reading situations, anticipating movement, and adapting in real time. Just as important, players learn how to think about their thinking—the metacognitive habits that allow them to self-correct, stay focused, and raise awareness under pressure.
The Emotional Game
Successful players regulate emotions. Confidence, resilience, and composure matter. Holistic coaching creates environments where losses are lessons. Players learn to channel intensity without losing control, and to compete with passion while maintaining perspective.
The Social Game
Basketball is a team sport in the truest sense. Holistic coaching invests in culture—shared values of accountability, respect, and unselfishness. Players learn to communicate, listen, and encourage. Trust binds five individuals together as one.
Beyond the Court
The real test of holistic coaching isn’t just what shows up on game film, but life. Leadership, responsibility, and teamwork extend beyond the hardwood. When done well, basketball becomes a classroom for character—preparing players for careers, relationships, and challenges after their last game ends.
Integration Matters
The physical, mental, emotional, and social aren’t separate boxes. They’re interwoven. A defensive lapse might stem from fatigue, frustration, or lack of trust. To address performance, coaches must address the whole person.
Lagniappe 2. "Joy is a competitive advantage."
Joe Mazulla to Tatum :
— Chris Steed (@steeder10) August 12, 2025
'It's ok to smile during war.'
A concept that is overlooked by most, myself included, is that JOY IS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.
When we view joy this way, instead of assuming that joy = soft/lack of caring, it's a huge paradigm shift in culture,…
