Total Pageviews

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Basketball - Apply "Operational Wisdom" Forced by Failure

"The only way to move ahead becomes to leave the past behind."

Everyone has practices or games beset with failure. In soccer, you feel as though you have "two left feet" or in baseball you're "wild in the strike zone" (throwing fat pitches) or "overmatched" at bat.

Excellent players learn from losses and move on, applying operational wisdom forced by failure. Bad shots, turnovers, and fouls are part of everyone's history. Move on. 

Three Primary Tests 

  • "Always do your best."
  • "Make everyone around you better."
  • "Impact the game." (Give the game what it needs.)
The latter two are the most important metrics of success. Complementary players are often integral to success by defending, limiting mistakes, and facilitating teammates' success with communication and good decisions. 

Passing the Tests

  • Attention to detail in preparation and play
  • Play in the moment. "Next play."
  • Serve the team. Do what is in the best interest of others.
Sweating the Small Stuff

  • Ask "What does our team need now?"
  • Learn to refocus or 'reset' (key words - this play, or "take a breath.")
  • Communicate to inform and energize teammates. 
Some players have the character and competence to dominate play for stretches. Others "recruit" teammates in the moment to raise the level of team play...the "mouth in the house." Being a vocal leader is a superpower, too. 

A player doesn't need double digit scoring, reams of rebounds, or armies of assists to earn trust and get on the floor. But they have to contribute something positive. Impact the team. Impact winning. 

Lagniappe. Department of redundancy department. Award yourself athleticism. When you walk onto the court at tryouts, two abilities stand out - skill and athleticism. They're the "wow factor." 

 Lagniappe 2. When completing the sentence, "Basketball is a game of ________ , what first comes to mind? Understanding the implied symmetry, "Basketball is a game of separating and finishing. Defenses seek to prevent separating and finishing. Add to your toolbox. 

Posted by at