Never traffic in excuses. Every coach wants more talent, more size, more experience.  With a narrow margin for error, teams must be more efficient and less error-prone. 1. "Basketball is a game meant to be played fast." With superior talent and "points per possession" edge, play fast. Inversion argues that lesser talent favors a slower tempo. 2. Possession control. Keep the better team off the boards. Second shots and third shots increase points per possession. "Hit and get" or block out and rebound. Whatever works.  3. Maximize opportunities. Convert free throws and emphasize shot q ..read more

"Each possession is different, but come down and make the right play." - Jayson Tatum Some players suffer the burden of greatness and expectations. Complementary players do not. Complementary players add flavor to the dish, the 'acid' of salt, fat, acid, and heat.  Coach changed lives by teaching young kids how to win. The lessons of the early 1970s persisted. Coaches who imprint 'basketball values' on our players add meaning.  "Sacrifice." He meant, "get the best shot for the team." In the opening possession against a team that had won eighteen straight, we made 22 passes until we g ..read more

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle David Mamet shares a MasterClass masterpiece. He reduces truths to their essence. For example, he revises Aristotle's quote, "Character is habitual action." If you lie repeatedly, you are a liar. Don't complicate matters. He explains why people converse, "to get something from each other." His insights have broad application. "Bad writers leave in what good writers remove" or "good writers leave what bad writers remove." Apply that to basketball. A team loses because of poor transition defense, weak ball c ..read more

The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow- witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him. - Tolstoy Winning needs focused investment in areas that work. Neither 100 percent investment in offense nor defense is best. Full belief in your failing process is nonsense.  Leadership. Can the coach sell the program, get buy-in, and add value? In Community Health (1977) we learned about barriers ..read more

“Who are you going to believe, your beloved husband or your lying eyes?” - Richard Pryor We discount truths we prefer not to believe.  We avoid opinions contrary to our beliefs (confirmation bias).  People judge others based on ‘character’ and ourselves based on ‘circumstances’ (fundamental attribution error). Our kid doesn’t make the team or get our desired role. It’s the lousy coach or some half-witted conspiracy. He passes up a three-pointer and we’re thinking “shoot” even though Johnny’s 1 for 15 from the arc on the season. We see with our heart not with our eyes.  How c ..read more

"Stats are killing the game of basketball. A lot of things happen that you can't measure in stats" - Marc Gasol pic.twitter.com/uEXssRsa5s — Coach Mac ? (@BballCoachMac) May 3, 2024 What contributions don't get counted? Most occur in "the 95" (without the ball) but not all. And yes, individual and team play shows up in offensive and defensive efficiency team stats.  Offensive 'invisible' examples (often multiple actions): Communication  Screens Rebounding tip outs Outlet passes "Hockey assists" Saved balls Cutting to open areas for teammates Defensive examples:  Communicat ..read more

Baby steps. Nobody magically learns to walk. Roll over. Sit up. Pull yourself up and cruise along furniture. Stand up; sit down. Again. Take your first steps. The process repeats and repeats. Failure is a weigh station on the highway to success.  Have the will to keep going.  Post by @khaldsalm7 View on Threads Lagniappe. One dribble pullups. Get separation and quickness into the shot. Lagniappe 2. "The ref's not gonna call it." Attack the front hand/leg. Maybe.  READ THE DEFENSE ?? Sometimes we overcomplicate the game. If you read your defender, it can make your life ..read more

Everyone needs an approach to communicate with player families. Without exception, coaches and administrations get complaints about player minutes, role, and recognition. Coaches use the "24 hour rule" to allow a 'cooling off period' and many limit discussions about playing time and absolutely about other teammates. President Abraham Lincoln had his "Hot Letters," where he vented his displeasure with various generals and other parties, then filed as "never signed, never sent." Coach Neal Cobleigh wondered what would ChatGPT artificial intelligence say to an unhappy parent. I asked. Write a let ..read more

Less is more. Players can't and won't remember long lists. Imagine five MUSTS on an index card.    The best players make their teammates better. What is your 'varsity skill' that gets and keeps you on the floor?  Possession enders find "stops and scores." Those translate into Pete Newell's "more and better shots" than opponents. Rebounds maintain or end possessions. Bad shots and turnovers invert the concept.  Excellent team defense earns hard twos, shots contested without fouling and cleaned up with defensive rebounds. Hard twos arise with ball contain ..read more

Coaches teach life, including verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. Not everyone receives or embraces coaching. If you can learn basketball then you can learn history, psychology, and writing.   What is the difference between Coachable and Uncoachable players? Coachable Players: - Seek feedback - Accept coaching - Ask questions Uncoachable Players - Know it all already - Always have an excuse - Get defensive Be Coachable. — Greg Berge (@gb1121) April 30, 2024 Craft your storytelling. The younger you are, the longer your runway to master the craft. Academics or athletics ..read more