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Friday, May 29, 2026

Basketball - Building a Program on More Than Talent

What would we emphasize in an introductory 'presser'? 

We should remember that our tone, voice, and nonverbal communication count. Be able to ask for help. "I know that success only happens with support and confidence from all stakeholders." 

Philosophy

Coaches want teams to reflect our personality and approach to the game.

  • Bring the best version of ourselves every day with the Stoic approach of "control what we can control." 
  • "Every day is showtime." 
  • Priorities are teamwork, improvement, and accountability. We are responsible for our 'brother'/'sister'

Specificity

It's not enough to say we'll play hard, play smart, and play together. Explain what that means.

  • Focus and effort to limit easy baskets (e.g. transition, second chance points, missed assignments)
  • Communicate on the floor at all times. 
  • Play to succeed each possession as the game is the sum of individual possessions. 
  • Offensive possessions need spacing, player and ball movement, and finishing quality shots (tracked by shot charts)

Culture

Put value on a learning culture. "Everyone benefits from coaching" and coaching is correction. "Form begets function." Doing it the right way, at the right time, every time has to become 'automatic' as basketball IQ becomes "I do."

Standards

Track performance of what matters. "Winners are trackers." Successful teams commit to higher standards, recognizing that better process (preparation) leads to superior results. 

  • Analytics prove that we're doing the right things. Higher EFG% and fewer turnovers inform better outcomes. 
  • "Fouls negate hustle." We can't bail out teams in late shot clock situations, foul perimeter or bad shots. 
  • High performance applies at home, school, and sport. If players can inhabit basketball mastery, they can excel at English, history, and mathematics. 
Mindset

"Do more to become more and become more to do more." Competition is a habit. Toughness is a habit. Hard work is a habit. 
  • Put the team first. Seize learning and leadership opportunities.
  • Develop great habits of preparation and self-care. Just as you service your car at your convenience, you fix it at your inconvenience. There are no "little things." Sleep, recovery, hydration, and nutrition are force multipliers.
  • The "keystone habits" developed today carry over throughout your life. Everything builds upon today's gains. 
The only constant is change. Be curious, open, and alert to new and better ideas. 

Lagniappe. Study exceptional players. 
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Lagniappe 2. The ability to see the action, anticipate, decide, and execute separation excellent from good. 

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