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Monday, December 8, 2025

Basketball - "Dare to Be Bad"

Excellence, both creative and critical, requires the will and discipline to l leave our comfort zone. 

Lifelong learning includes study both within our domain and outside of it. Aerosmith's "Dare to Suck" weekly meetings was their departure from comfort. 

What “Dare to Suck” is

  • “Dare to Suck” is reportedly a weekly (or regular) ritual adopted by Aerosmith. 

  • During the meeting, every member brings an idea they think is “probably terrible,” even embarrassing - the kind of idea they might otherwise hide or dismiss. 

  • The value lies in creating space for unfiltered creativity, “suck now, maybe shine later.” As lead singer Steven Tyler said, “nine times out of ten the idea is actually terrible - but one time out of ten you get something brilliant.”

In short: it’s a low-stakes container for letting bad, half-baked, or wild ideas surface - with the chance that one of them will spark a gem.

Why it matters

  1. Reduces fear of failure / embarrassment
    By framing “bad ideas” as part of the process, the group removes shame, hesitation, and second-guessing. Creativity often flows when the bar is low.

  2. Promotes volume over perfection - idea quantity breeds quality
    Many creative ventures hinge on quantity: the more ideas you generate, even crappy ones, the higher chance that one will hit. Dare to Suck leverages that math.

  3. Encourages divergent thinking and risk-taking
    When you allow and encourage “bad,” “weird,” or “half-baked” ideas, you open up creativity beyond the safe, incremental. That’s where originality lives (plays, novel drills, blog posts - whatever your medium).

  4. Normalizes iteration and refinement instead of expecting instant brilliance
    Real creative work often involves filtering, revising, throwing away big chunks. Dare to Suck underscores that the first draft, first sketch, first play may and probably will “suck.” 

  5. Fosters shared vulnerability and collaborative ownership
    In a group context - band, team, staff - this ritual builds trust, breaks down “self-censorship.” It signals: we value your voice, however imperfect. That creates freedom to explore limits.

How Dare to Suck could fit for us

A background of coach, educator, writer permits the Dare to Suck mindset to resonate strongly. Here are a few concrete ways to adopt it:

  • Team meetings (volleyball, basketball, business analogies): Start a “Dare to Suck” roundtable where players/coaches propose “crazy drill ideas,” “wild plays,” or “unconventional conditioning.” Chances are most will be tossed - but one might spark a breakthrough.

  • Writing / blog drafts: Draft first, then polish: write without censoring, get the ideas down, then refine. Take comfort with revision, editing, and “delete-key philosophy.”

  • Leadership / team-culture sessions: Encourage staff, assistants, or senior players to voice their worst ideas or biggest doubts - in a safe setting. Expose hidden friction, untested opportunities, or creative sparks.

  • Personal growth / experimentation: Use “Dare to Suck” internally when trying new habits - vertical jump drills, training routines, or coaching methods - allow growth to emerge organically. 

    Lagniappe. Passing/scoring drill. 

    Lagniappe 2. What stories are we telling our team? 

  • Control the narrative

  • Where are we vulnerable? 

  • What should we do? 

  • Try harder as 'trailing'. 

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