Motivation

28 Dec Visioneering (how to build a ship)

"If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." — Antoine de Saint-Exupery That pretty much sums it up. As the season...

22 Sep Atlanta Read & React Clinic

We just finished our last official clinic of the season in Atlanta. And, as we've done in the past for this clinic, we had guest speakers...

06 Sep Building Team Chemistry in Pieces

If you've been in coaching for very long you know that the recipe for a great team and a successful season (however you measure that) involves more ingredients than a great offensive system and good athletes. Team chemistry plays a huge role as well. We've all seen the Mighty Ducks, right? Great team chemistry + Emilio Estevez = Championship. Well, you may not have Emilio on your bench (not all dreams can come true), but you can build team chemistry. Here's one of the ways Randi Peterson from Coe College does it: We finish each pre-season with a scavenger hunt. This year, we created a giant puzzle. Every piece of the puzzle had a clue attached to it leading to the next piece. Once all the pieces were found, the girls assembled it and read it's message. It seems simple, but it is fun and hilarious and they have to do it together. And, for some reason, being silly bonds people to each other. It also makes good fodder for the highlight film too. But, that's not where we finish.

15 Aug You Are the Average of the Five People Closest to You

Jim Rohn says, "You are the average of the five people closest to you". For me, that feels frighteningly true. Makes me want to evaluate everyone close to me. Makes me wonder if some of my friends are looking to cut me off their list. I...

27 Jul Black Belts and Basketball Coaches

This morning I came across the following parable and it struck me that although it is true of life in general, it especially relates to basketball coaches (and even basketball players). You probably already have this notion tucked away in the back of your mind,...

01 Jun 7 Ways to Spread Your Passion

A couple of weeks ago, we had our first Read & React clinic of the season in Crystal Lake, IL (there's six more clinics coming so find one near you) hosted by my good friend, Rich Czeslawski. I introduce him here because you'll see more of him in this space in some footage from that clinic as well as hopefully some more guest posts. Rich wrote this post shortly after the clinic and I think it fits well with what we're trying to accomplish with the Tribe: If there is one trait that stands out in those considered the best of the coaching and teaching profession, it is passion. Watching a teacher or coach who truly loves what they are doing is both inspiring and educational. A great teacher brings out the best in those around them because their passion is contagious and creates an environment in which learning and working becomes fun for everyone. As coaches, we must always remember that teaching is the most important part of our job, and that our passion for what we do is our greatest tool. It helps us in building relationships with players and other coaches which both enhances the impact we can have, as well as makes our job more fulfilling. Here are 7 ways you can spread your PASSION for the game and this profession: Pick a "Thinking Team".
 Start by picking a group of colleagues who you respect and assemble a team of people to run ideas by. This group can consist of your former teachers, coaches, and mentors, opposing coaches who you have built a relationship with, or coaches who are known for their expertise in a certain area. Try to find a diverse collection of coaches with different philosophies and coaching styles. You will find that the conversations you have with members of your “Thinking Team” will be some of the most enjoyable and rewarding you will ever know.

12 Apr How to Get Players to Buy into the Read & React

There's a lot of great stuff going on in the forums… too much really to leave it alone, just sitting there. So, I've decided to post a forum inspired post every day for the next 5 days (there's plenty more good stuff than that, but I thought I'd start there). Today is day 1, inspired by this forum thread and VMI04, MJL23, Blue, Rick, and TJ. So, when you're putting in the Read & React for the first time, how do you promote buy in from your players? Well, in developing a strategy, the first question you need to ask yourself is what sold you on the system? There was obviously a reason that you ordered the DVDs, watched the footage, and decided that this would be your offense. Can you tweak the benefits that sold you into language that your players will respond to?

04 Apr North by East/West: A Statistical Question

Tonight, I have an assignment for all those geeky enough to take it. While everyone else is eating wings and nachos, take out your pen and a piece a paper and chart one thing from the championship game tonight. Ok, not just one thing, chart this...