"We can't control what happens to us, but we can control our response."
Good and bad happens to our team. Players come and leave, injuries happen, player development doesn't occur on the expected arc, conflicts arise. Regardless, we choose how to respond - with understanding, anger, withdrawal, and more.
First, dot B (.B) stop and take a breath. The first thought in our head may be neither helpful nor appropriate. Widen the distance between the event and the response.
Second, stay positive. Maybe something beneficial comes from this. A star player gets hurt, other players get and opportunity to step up.
Third, remember the Fourth Agreement. "Always do your best." It's normal to feel disappointed or have other emotions. Regardless, as the coach (or as a player), you have a responsibility to the team and to yourself.
Create a "2 x 2" matrix of possibilities around importance and urgency. I asked Chat GPT Plus to create the table.
Basketball Coaching Priority Matrix
| URGENT | NOT URGENT | |
|---|---|---|
| IMPORTANT | 🟥 Quadrant I Game & Crisis Management • Timeouts • End-of-game execution • Injuries • Foul trouble • Player conflicts • Opponent scouting | 🟩 Quadrant II ⭐ CHAMPIONSHIP BUILDING • Player development • Skill acquisition • Culture & standards • Leadership • Practice design • Strength & conditioning • Film study • Decision-making • Team chemistry |
| UNIMPORTANT | 🟨 Quadrant III False Urgency • Arguing with officials • Parent distractions • Rankings • Social media • Coaching fads | ⬜ Quadrant IV Time Wasters • Endless scrolling • Complaining • Gossip • Second-guessing old games • Meetings without purpose |
Key Lesson
Great coaches spend less time putting out fires because they spend more time preventing them.
As you work through your off-season 'programming', focus on the difference makers that will program success. That will be different for "early stage" coaches than for experienced coaches.
Don't let ego stand in the way.
Self-reflect. Where am I in this journey?
Find a mentor. Even seasoned professionals get help. As Rams Coach Sean McVay says, "Everyone benefits from coaching."
Learn every day. Advance player development. Watch more video. Study some coaching clinics. Develop a strength and conditioning program. Add mindfulness training for players to improve focus, sleep, and decrease mood disorders.
Read. About half of Americans haven't read a book in the last year. Even if we can't be Coach Raveling, Popovich, Kerr, or Mike Neighbors, that doesn't mean we can't read more than we are.
Lagniappe. It takes a little more effort to connect with people. Erling Haaland does a better job than some.
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