Transform Versus Conform

In order to fully have an 'others' focus, players need to differentiate between TRANSform and CONform. I will explain. So that they can grow and develop, people need to realize that they will need the help of others to help get them to where they want to go. I have reinforced this concept with recent tweets at twitter.com/Chris__Oliver (or @Chris__Oliver).

If players (and coaches) recognize that help from others is needed, then they also need to have an 'others' focus so that they develop the proper unselfish mindset themselves - another example of balance. In order for that to happen, those same players need to change their thinking away from "my teammates and coaches need to CONform to my style of play." If teams are going to succeed, the unselfish mindset of "I need to use my skills and adjust my attitude to TRANSform to my team's goals and style of play" needs to prevail.

On paper, this is all wonderful and good. In reality, this is only accomplished through personal maturity, a true unselfish approach, and a genuine desire to make others around us better. Individuals on successful teams transform - they do not expect team members to conform. The difference is enormous, the results are obvious.

Communication

That communication is important is certainly an understatement. Need a reminder? Try getting your point across to somebody that does not speak your language. What tools do you have in that situation? Cues, both verbal and non, play a role. Some thoughts to consider and reinforce for a new season:

• recognize how you receive communication and it will help with how you send (if YOU don't listen when somebody rambles then DON'T be long-winded yourself)
• use cues with your players so that they can better establish what you mean/want (put your hand in the air when you say "hold" then they will understand the command when just the hand signal is used)
• understand that today's players are fundamentally very different from the previous generation and need different communication as a result (if you need evidence, volunteer to work at a camp of teenage players - they speak a unique language)
• embrace the new ways of communicating - the entire world is using sound bites, not long documentary pieces, you need to do the same
• utilize social media to your advantage - there is a reason that brief text messages and tweets are more popular than email and articles (some people want you to get your message across in 140 characters or you may lose their attention)
• timeouts are moments of communication with increased importance - use the brief time to get across two short messages (don't try to tell them all you know about the sport PLUS do remember that players may only recall the LAST thing you told them anyway)
  

Creativity in the off-season

To achieve different or better results, the same actions can't be taken. We've all heard the famous quote about insanity. All too often, coaches don't take advantage of their off-season in order to be creative with new approaches in the next season. To challenge yourself and change the way you see things, consider trying the following:

• read a different style of book (i.e. not just bball drills, but an adventure mystery when you would normally read a biography)
• try puzzles - word search, crossword, sudoku, brain teasers
• go to a practice or game and close your eyes for a short while and just listen to the game - what do you hear?
• watch a practice or game with the sound off - what do you focus on? how does the experience help you view the game differently?
• as a coach you are supposed to be a model and example - ask if that is how you lead and actually live when it comes to health, nutrition, exercise - what do people see?
• watch another sport (i.e. recently soccer on the world stage or football), pay attention to what works in that sport that will help your team (emphasis on footwork, spacing, fakes, etc) - reinforce/apply the lessons to bball
  

Playing big in BIG games

Interesting that, beyond all the game planning, matching up, special sets, and other details, games are often decided by a commitment to fundamentals. When coaches talk about players playing big in big games (more importantly playing big LATE in big games), they don't usually use the word 'fundamentals' but they certainly know it is implied.

Take Game 5 of the current NBA Western Conference final - it is a perfect example in many ways. An LA player, instead of doing the fundamentally proper move of using up some shot clock after getting another chance on offense (when up 3), puts up an ill-advised hurried 3 point attempt. Enter the mental side of the game. Need to always be thinking 'time and score' - of which that player was reminded by fans, teammates, and coaches alike. A missed box out allowed Phoenix a 3 point attempt, which they then made. Tie game under 4 seconds to go.

Finally, a sideline inbound that was obviously going to LA's hot shooter. Defensive focus was on that player. Shot goes up, but falls short. Fundamentals now play the role. Instead of finding LA players and making contact with them (hit and sit with a solid box out), the defenders are slow to the ball - focussed only on the ball. As is often the case, the aggressive weakside offensive rebounder (who sees the entire play in front of him, as well as the adjustment of the defense) charges to the ball and beats the defender. No contact was made, offensive rebound, put back off glass, clock expires, game over, two point loss. In just two seconds, a potential series lead turns into a deficit - all because of fundamentals.

End result is that a player (who mentally could have lost focus) erases the recent poor decision play from his mind, plays in the moment, uses proper fundamentals, makes a play, and changes a series. Kobe Bryant said it best. "It comes down to just fundamental things," Bryant said. "They knocked down a 3-pointer because we didn't box out. They wind up losing the game because they didn't box out. It's just the little things like that that are the difference between winning big playoff games and losing them."

Gregg Popovich - emphasis in drills

Coach Popovich pays great attention to detail and places emphasis on doing the right things the right way. If he is listed as a presenter at a clinic, that clinic is definitely worth attending. Who knows, maybe he'll be a headline coach at a Can-Am Basketball clinic (next one is June 4-5) in years to come? On the topic of drills, Coach emphasizes:

• be strong on the fundamentals of the game (footwork, hands, body positioning)
• work on being perfect before fast - do it properly, then be quick enough to be uncomfortable
• drills need to provide enough of a challenge for your team that your leaders will rise up and talk, lead, get others doing properly
• want adversity, want players to have to think and talk
• give a change command to the next group in the drill but only give just enough time that they have to communicate and organize quickly
• transition within a drill or between drills should be done without delay, want chaos
• if a group is playing too slow or not correctly then give a point to the other team and boot the poor performers out of the drill
• look to test mental strength of players, important to know who gives up too early, who battles to the end
  

New DVD - The Street Stops Here

Much has been written about Coach Bob Hurley Sr. and his teams at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. Invariably, the stories revolve around the tremendous success achieved on and off the basketball court. Coach Hurley has developed some outstanding teams and players but, more importantly, some incredible young men and citizens. His graduation rate is excellent, his compassion is unquestionable, and his commitment knows no bounds.

Earlier this week, on many PBS affiliates, the new documentary that chronicles St. Anthony and Coach Hurley was shown in prime time. Given the impact of the film, especially considering how well it was done (Teamworks Media), it fits with the philosophy of this blog to share information on how you can see/obtain the movie. Simply click on the active links to:

• go to the St. Anthony School website to find out more about the school
• contact Kathleen Staudt to order copies of the DVD directly from the school
• watch a terrific interview on Chicago Tonight with Coach Hurley
  
• watch (on Expressvu) the documentary on the PBS East affiliate of WGBH Channel 2 on Sat. April 3rd at 6:30pm or Mon. April 5th at 2:30pm
• watch (again on Expressvu) the replay on PBS West (KCTS 9) on April 5th at 3am
• go to Amazon and order a copy online (for a reduced preview price)
• go to the Teamworks Media site to order a copy from the filmmaker
  

Random thoughts for this time of year

At this point in the season, more than ever, some components of play are crucial to team success. In no particular order, attention should be paid to the following:

• with a fastbreak emphasis, guards MUST get rebounds - first steps after a missed shot (or a score) are very important
• on a transition wing pass ahead on the break, emphasize an attack to the middle to put basket pressure on the defense
• on penetration, the emphasis must be placed on sprinting cuts, making the proper read, and shooters spaced in positions where the ball can see them (don't get three in a row with ball and defender)
• every practice, an assistant should meet with each point guard and review their checklist - turnovers, rebounds, effectiveness, leadership
• reinforce the use of concentration cues in timeouts in order to gain focus - allow players 15 seconds for water and settling, then cue them for priorities with a "listen up"
• as the late Jim Valvano said, "never give up" - no matter how the quarter or half is going, the next one can always be better (if your team is willing to work and play to it's strengths)
  

Individual work with a coach - why?

So much of a coach's responsibility is team-oriented. However, there is much to be gained (toward team goals) by working individually with players. When coaches work one-on-one with a player, they:

• develop a deeper trust
• strengthen that relationship
• show an interest and make an investment in them (as a person)
• can then push them harder in team practices
• generate goodwill that can (hopefully) be counted upon later in the season
• promote the individual responsibility aspect of improvement
  

Point guard - profile of success

Successful point guards possess many talents - perhaps the greatest among them is the ability to make their teammates better. When discussing the best at the PG position, Jason Kidd's name should definitely be a part of the conversation. Watch the following profile. Listen to the attributes. Pay attention to the eyes. See the entire larger play plus the fine smaller details - just as Jason Kidd sees them.

Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh1DalWSuAc&feature=player_embedded#

Perhaps the most pertinent line in the commentary is "Playing the point isn't about threading the needle through a handful of defenders. It's about finding your scorers and placing the ball exactly where THEY want to catch it." With thanks to Rob Mahoney, The Two Man Game, Jason Kidd, the Dallas Mavericks, and the NBA.

Player Substitutions - use them wisely

It is a given that coaches have MANY responsibilities - both in the big picture as well as in a detailed sense. Paying attention to small details, beyond being good for your program, can also help you gain an advantage in games. Consider substitutions. The strategic subbing of players, if done well, can be of tremendous benefit to your team. Give some thought to:

• how do your players sub in?
• encourage them, much like free throws, to have a routine (while waiting to sub in) that helps them focus and get ready to work
  
• subs need to hustle over to you then the scorer's table when called upon
  
• players should sprint on and off the court (with enthusiasm and/or good body language each way)
• subs entering need to shake hands of teammates exiting the game, get matchups, and communicate current defensive/offensive calls
• in order to slow down tempo or set up defensive pressure, sub after a made free throw
• to disrupt opponent's matchups, sub at timeouts (preferably at the end of the TO)
• to help your first subs off the bench prepare mentally and develop a game-to-game routine, consider advising them of what time they should expect to enter the game for their first substitution
• end of game situations may require you to sub for defense or offense - be prepared, have a plan, anticipate the scenarios, and execute
  

Quotes to use with teams

With their teams, many successful coaches use quotes to emphasize a point, inspire, motivate, focus, or pick up their teams. Some coaches post a daily quote on their board or practice plan. There are tens of thousands of terrific quotes that are applicable to basketball. Over time, many quotes will be offered in this blog. If using a quote, coaches need to ensure they pay proper respect to it's author (which also encourages players to do the same, and may provide a spark to a player that inspires them to learn even more). Some popular quotes are:

• "Morale is when your hands and feet keep on working when your head says it can't be done." (Benjamin Morrell)
• "Dreams are what get you started. Discipline is what keeps you going." (Jim Ryun)
• "Competing is like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you are tired, you quit when the gorilla is tired." (unknown)
• "I want to know what I don't know." (Kevin Eastman, Boston Celtics)
• "What really counts is not the number of hours you put in - it's what you put in those hours." (unknown)
• "Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." (Sir Winston Churchill)
• "Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out." (John Wooden)
• "The four destructive behaviours of athletes are criticizing, complaining, comparing, and condemning." (Eric Musselman)
  

The importance of mental training

Playing the sport of basketball requires, amongst many qualities, tremendous strength and discipline. Not only physical, but mental. Being disciplined requires players to have a "present focus" (applies to coaches too). Players need to learn how to let go of mistakes as they happen so that they can then re-focus on the present moment. Here are some ideas to help your players with their discipline:

• educate them that the LAST play (or shot) does NOT affect the NEXT play - every moment in a game is independent of others
• teach your players how to "park" their negative thoughts. Letting go of, or moving beyond, negative thoughts is essential to success as an athlete
  
• watch your player's body language (make sure they are aware of the enormous difference between positive and negative signals)
  
• pay attention to your player's tone and choice of words
• help your players understand THEY are in control of their thoughts and reactions to events that involve them