3 examples of unselfishness

Putting others first, ahead of yourself. Truly being unselfish. Recognizing you are a part of a team. Realizing that you will need help from others in order to achieve your goals. These thoughts have appeared in this blog before, but three shining examples came to light this past week.

• The "Tradition" of Windsor Men's Basketball was on display and celebrated by so many people - all of whom, we are fortunate to hold close to the heart of our program. Last Saturday, our program was pleased and proud to host its annual Past, Present, and Future reception. To gather together, celebrate, and be reminded of the ways in which so many have selflessly contributed to a common purpose, was very humbling. We remain grateful to each and every one of our program's many supporters.
• Jerry Sloan, the longtime, successful coach of the Utah Jazz, retired this week. Coach Sloan is an outstanding example of a person being steadfastly committed to doing things the right way. His discipline, his purposeful approach, and unselfish commitment to making other people better are to be commended. He has improved the lives and careers of so many - in basketball, and beyond.
• This is not a political statement - merely an observation. A truly historic event took place in a unique part of the world. The citizens of a region may have indeed changed their future by putting others ahead of themselves, realizing they were one small part of a large team, and knowing that the help of others would be needed in order to achieve their own personal goals.
  

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.

Clinic notes - more from Can-Am

Coach Don Meyer spent a weekend in Windsor and ran multiple sessions at a recent Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic (next clinic is June 4-5). Some coaches are still talking about that particular session, MANY are still referencing the notes they took. Beyond making good plain basketball and life common sense, Coach Meyer loves to use (and offer) helpful short forms and acronyms. Here are some to ponder:

• the 3 R's (as it relates to notes) - Retrieve, Review, Reinforce
• OBC - Offensive Board Coverage (teams must have it)
• MBO - Must Block Out (do whatever it takes, fight for what is yours)
• BOPCRO - when rebounding, get a Body On a Player, Chin the ball, see the Rim, Outlet the pass AND Block Out, Pursue the ball, Chin the Rebound, Outlet
  
• SOSO - Screen Out, Seal Out (offensive system strategy in a 3 out rotation)
• H2G - players need to be Hard to Guard (team needs to help get others open)
• PHPSPT - teams need unity - Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together
• TEAMS - Tough, Effort, Attitude, Motives, Servant Leaders
  

Program Foundations - Don Meyer

Anytime that Coach Don Meyer speaks at a clinic, he leaves quite an impression. That can certainly be said of his visit to the Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic two summers ago. Coach Meyer, beyond many pearls of basketball wisdom, laid out some of the foundation upon which he has built his basketball team programs over the years.

• everybody takes notes (players are expected to have their notebooks with them at all times)
• everybody is polite (not just around the gym, but in every situation)
• everybody picks up trash (a very humbling gesture, applies to wherever the players are)
• TEAMS - Tough, Effort, Attitude, Motives, Serve others
• players need to have an "other" focus - make other people important, find out what matters to them (that leads to personal growth)
• when passing a water fountain, players must take a drink (proper hydration is so important)
• use the Socratic method with players - ask them questions, encourage thinking, engage their brains (don't simply provide easy route of giving answers)
• play, coach, or officiate - players need to choose one, can't do two or three
  

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
  

More excellence from Coach K

Take time to find out what makes a person who they are - their passions, dislikes, their views, what is important to them, etc. Coaches need to know their players. Players need to know their coaches. After all, teams are comprised of people and those people will determine team outcomes.

Coach K at Duke, despite how he is sometimes portrayed in the media or by opposing fans, is most definitely a people person that cares about others. Like him or not as a coach of a certain team, as we all are, he is to be respected. When you read the following article from Andy Katz of ESPN.com, you will gain another perspective on an excellent and caring coach along with a likely deeper level of respect.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=4961273

Is it any wonder that the phrase (especially in coaching) "people won't care how much you know until they know how much you care" is used so often? At least now you know just how much a very busy and successful coach from Duke cares.

In appreciation of mentors

Once again, as the world joins together for the highest in winter athletic competition, wonderful and positive stories have emerged. Beyond the skill and excellence currently taking place in the arenas and on the slopes, some of the best stories have long been written and are now being shared.

When time allows, do a search using words such as "inspirational coach" and "coach mentor" and you will uncover a host of great examples of coaches that lent a helping hand at an important time in an athlete's development. Go to the following bio for an example - www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=12150.html#hansen+profile+olympic+difference+makers. The stories underscore and reinforce what many coaches already knew - that they can make a difference. If nothing else, the current games should be re-energizing for coaches. Yes, there are many ups and downs in the journey of any coach. However, coaches should never underestimate the positive difference that they can make in the journey of each and every athlete. Many of the stories being shared of late are those of a coach simply offering their time, showing that they care, providing help with no expectation of compensation or reward - good and true values. Be proud to be a coach and remind yourself that you are in a position to make a positive contribution in the life of every young athlete.

Thoughts from the book "Destination Basketball"

In their recent book, Destination Basketball, authors Andrew Hemminger and Dave Bensch provide coaching insight from 29 successful NCAA coaches. Essentially, the two college students from Ohio traveled thousands of miles to personally sit down and interview some of the best male coaches that have ever walked the sidelines. By way of example, a few interesting answers follow:

• when John Beilein of Michigan was asked what he tries to improve as a coach, he responded with "communication." He then went on to say that it's not WHAT a coach knows but rather what a coach can get his players to know. As a result, he looks to hire assistants that are excellent communicators.
• Bruce Weber of Illinois mentioned, when developing and executing his program philosophy, an underlying rule is that "no job is beneath you." This is very similar to what Coach Don Meyer at NSU has always promoted - "everybody picks up garbage."
• when Bo Ryan of Wisconsin was asked what he hopes his players will take away after being in their program, he commented that he hopes "they will be good neighbors" after they leave him. First, they will need to look after the needs of their own families and then be considerate citizens, help in the community, give back, and be good neighbors. Again, this is the "servant attitude" that many coaches promote - unselfishness, thinking of others.
• Tom Izzo of Michigan State wants to be remembered as a coach that told his players what they needed to hear, NOT what they wanted to hear. He firmly believes that physical and mental toughness are keys to every type of success in life. He feels that part of his role is to combine his players' individual goals (recognizes that all people are partially selfish) with Spartan team goals. Asking for individual goals shows that he cares about his players - they then care about what Coach Izzo wants for the team.

Overall, a good read - quick and easy too. Consider it when looking for a gift for a coach, or even treat yourself to a well-deserved book. For those of you that prefer to order online, good options are amazon.com and chaptersindigo.ca.

Sharing and preparing

If you have the chance, attend a clinic that has Coach Don Meyer as a presenter - it will be well worth your time. Coach Meyer spoke at our Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaches Clinic in 2008 and many coaches still mention that experience. In the meantime, if you come across any "Meyerisms" then take a moment to read them. Given Coach Meyer's success, there are many pearls of wisdom that he has passed along. Beyond the list of some favorites that apply to coaching young athletes, the more powerful message is that Coach Meyer is always willing to share and help teams prepare. Truly, he is an example of that servant attitude that so many coaches strive for in their programs.

Of the many gems from Coach Meyer, we are especially fond of the following:

• effort and attitude are the two most important changes you can make (in yourself and in others)
• move people mentally
• you get what you accept, expect, and inspect
• have a servant attitude (program, coach, player, volunteer, etc.)
• a great team does not need a coach to tell them to talk
• appreciate hard work and effort
• learn how to compete on nights when you don't have it
• you can measure a person's character by how they treat people that can't do them any good or can't fight back
• in skill development, go fast enough to make a mistake
• confidence comes from demonstrated ability
• it's not what you teach, it's what you emphasize
• assess your personnel - are they energy givers or energy drainers?
• understand that loyalty is a two-way street
• be passionate about teaching and helping others improve their lives
• give more than what is asked, take less than is deserved