PLAY SMARTER - NOT HARDER!

Note: Originally published in the January/February 2011 issue of Los Angeles Sports & Fitness.

In a recent youth football championship game, one team trailed 6-0 when the coach ordered a trick play that is now a Youtube sensation.  After a penalty, he called out loudly that the defense had been off-side, and the official forgot to walk off the five yards.  He yelled at his center to move the ball forward.  The center stood up and handed the ball over his shoulder to the quarterback, which is a legal maneuver.  The quarterback started to walk off the five yards and then sprinted past the unassuming defenders for the game-tying touchdown.

The play is perfectly legal.  Despite perceptions, a center does not have to hike the ball directly between his legs to the quarterback; however, we use that technique because it puts the center in the best position to block after hiking the ball.  Essentially, the team hiked the ball for the quarterback to run a sneak up the middle, and the coach’s instructions confused the defense who relaxed until it was too late.

The Internet loves the video, and most people think the coach is a genius.  For someone obviously concerned with winning, he is quite clever.  He used his craftiness and knowledge of the rules to win the game.  

Every sport relies on physical play and talent, but good coaches (and players) understand that to be successful, you must play smarter – not necessarily harder.

(Thanks Brian McCormick) 

COMPETITORS DON'T JUST "WING IT"

I have a lot of young players on our team this season and several of them are struggling with the transition from rec league ball to a highly-competitive environment.  In addition to having to physically match up against bigger, stronger and faster opponents, several are missing the fact that they are also competing with their teammates for playing time during every practice.  They continue to allow themselves to be easily distracted while the coach discusses an important concept or while teaching a new play.

People who are truly committed… people who care deeply about the outcome, are called competitors.  Whether it's in practice or in a game... they don’t just merely wing it and expect to keep up with the best of the group.  They set aside any and all distractions and focus on what is important.

Are you just playing… or are you playing to win?

(Thanks Seth Godin)

PUNISHING YOUR OPPONENT FOR THEIR MISTAKES

Golden State forward David Lee didn’t have much good to say about the Spurs after watching them take apart his team earlier this week.  “They’re a very frustrating team to play,” Lee told the Associated Press.  “I don’t go out there feeling like they’re a better team than us.  For instance, when we play the Lakers we look at their size and say it’s going to be a tough game."

“I feel like we match up well with the Spurs.  I feel like they’re a beatable team, especially in this building.  And just the way they execute and the way they take advantage of any little mistake you make, it’s like a boring way to play but it’s so effective."

“There’s a reason why their record is what it is.” 

Credit Lee for knowing the difference between substance and sizzle – even if it isn’t always the most aesthetically pleasing kind of basketball.

(Thanks Spurs Nation)

THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE

I've coached Varsity level girls for the past five or six years and have been extremely successful and I just assumed coaching any team would be just as easy as it has been.  Boy was I wrong... I coached a boys game tonight and quickly realized how big of a difference there is between the two.

After the game, one of the parents summed it up nicely... "coaching girls is easy.  They are great listeners, they are eager to please, and they actually enjoy working together (teamwork).  It's far tougher coaching boys... they already know it all."

4:13

WHEN PLAYERS BEGIN TO MATURE

When you were younger, 90% of the game was physical... just playing hard was enough to justify your belief that you played a great game.  However, once you begin to learn proper technique and the little things that give you that slight advantage over your opponent… playing hard is no longer good enough to justify a great game.  

A mature player understands that the mental game is just as important as the physical.

4:13

SCHOOL GETS PROBATION FOR ILLEGAL UNIFORMS DONATED BY NIKE

I've been hit with technical fouls for allowing my players to wear black Under Armor under royal blue uniforms, even though the uni's were trimmed with black at the neck and sleeves.  Was it a little over-the-top for the referees to hit me with a tech?  I think so... it's not like the black UA gave us any kind of advantage over our opponent or made it difficult for the refs to distinguish between the two teams.
But the story below is even more over-the-top...  
L.A. school gets probation for illegal uniforms donated by Nike
By Cameron Smith

When Los Angeles Roosevelt (Calif.) High wore black uniforms custom made by Nike in a highly touted rivalry matchup against Los Angeles Garfield (Calif.) High earlier this year, the Rough Riders broke a California Interscholastic Federation City Section rule stipulating that uniforms could only contain school colors.  As it turns out, Roosevelt caused itself even more trouble than that, first forced to forfeit the game,then hit with a City Section ruling that the Nike uniforms were so egregious they actually warranted a one-year probation for the football program.

"They had the opportunity to choose colors and for some reason they didn't choose the school colors," City Section commissioner Barbara Fiege told the Los Angeles Times.

The City Section ruling not only forced Roosevelt to essentially toss the brand new, state-of-the-art Nike uniforms aside, taking away badly needed gear that would have cost upwards of $25,000 from a publicly funded program, it also said that Roosevelt coach J avier Cid was responsible for letting the team take the field wearing them in the 76th annual East L.A. Classic. Cid previously told the Los Angeles Times that he knew the uniforms being furnished by Nike would be black, yet he played no part in choosing the color scheme used.

Nike provided the uniforms as part of a brash, grassroots marketing campaign for the company's Pro Combat line of uniforms, which it also has debuted with college football teams across the country this season.  The looks in almost all of the Pro Combat line uniforms are edgy and sometimes outside of a school's traditional colors -- Virginia Tech used an all-black uniform similar to Roosevelt's for its first game against Boise State -- while also providing a tighter fit meant to aid mobility.

Yet the company's lack of foresight to clear the colors it used for Roosevelt before the game -- part of a complex plan to keep the uniforms a secret for both teams until the game that night -- backfired magnificently.

Interestingly, there might still be a caveat that could allow Roosevelt to use the uniforms in the 2011 season.  The City Section regulations which have been used to punish Roosevelt specifically cite the need for a team's uniforms to include only a school's colors.  If Roosevelt filed for a school color change to add black to it's traditional colors of maroon, gold and white, those black uniforms would suddenly be legal again.

The move would be a bit over the top and quite brash, but then again, handing down a year-long probation sentence for uniforms a school had no say in picking seems brash in itself.

(Thanks Rivals)

THE QUESTION

Here is a question that every athlete should ask themselves daily: "Am I a basketball player, or just someone who likes to play basketball?"

There is a huge difference between the two.  One gives 100% effort every minute they're on the court (even in practice), the other only when it is absolutely necessary.

4:13

“GET” INTO DEFENSE

We’re all looking for ways to “GET” our teams to understand and appreciate defense and how important it is to winning.  So often we talk to our team about having to GET things done in order to be a good defensive team.  Our “GET” game is the following:

1. GET a good shot – harder for opponent to run after a made basket

2. GET back – it’s a sprint to the other end; we want more defenders back before they get more offensive players back

3. GET set – being back is one thing; being set and ready to defend is the key thing

4. GET through screens and over pick/rolls – do not melt on either

5. GET matched up as best we can– we are guarding their team; not necessarily our match up when in transition defense

6. GET into bodies – we cannot allow free cuts, free passes, free shots; make them feel us each possession

7. GET the rebound – the start of our defense is a good shot and GETTING back; the end of our defense is a contested shot and GETTING the rebound

8. GET ready to start this process all over again on the next possession

(Thanks Kevin Eastman at http://kevineastmanbasketball.com)

PLAYING SMARTER NOT HARDER

A few Sports Illustrated writers put together their mid-season NBA awards and for the “Coach of the Year Award” Paul Forrester had Spurs coach Greg Popovich as the front-runner and hit the nail on the head by saying “Popovich doesn't ride his players harder than others; he just gets them to play smarter.” 

Is there any other coach whose best player logs less than 30 minutes per game and could turn it into a 36-6 start?

(Thanks Paul Forrester of SI)

CHARACTERISTICS OF GREAT PLAYERS

HOW MANY OF THESE DESCRIBE YOU?

This is a list of characteristics developed by Coach Kevin Eastman (Boston Celtics Assistant) that accurately describes “great players.” There is one important thing about this list that few pick up on when they read it. I will point it out after you read it through and see if you picked up on it.

Great players have tremendous focus during the entire practice or game. (they play in the moment)

Great players listen with their eyes and ears whenever a coach or teammate is speaking.

Great players want to be coached. They crave coaching because it makes them better.

Great players look forward to practices and working out. They know that is where improvement is made.

Great players give 100% effort in practice just like if it were a game.

Great players understand that every drill is designed to work on a specific area of their game and they try and maximize their improvement – they don't want to be average.

Great players understand that details... every little detail, is important to success.

Great players can't stand lazy teammates, especially on defense.

Great players hate to miss practices, regardless of the reason.

Great players want to hear the truth, that's the only way to know where they need improvement.

Great players hold themselves accountable to a higher standard for everything they do. Everything.

Great players hold their teammates accountable for everything they do. They call them out when necessary.

Great players are committed to balancing their mind, body and spirit.

Great players hate to lose. They play to win in every drill or even in every sprint.

Does each one of these on this list describe you? How many players on your team does this list describe?

Okay... did you notice something about this list??? Every single one of these items are 100% mentally controllable. Not one of these is based on excellent physical abilities or extraordinary talent. You don't have to be the biggest, fastest or strongest to be able to do these things.

How many of these things describe you?

(Thanks Kevin Eastman & Alan Stein)

THOSE THAT COMPLAIN THE MOST ... JUST DON'T GET IT

Received this video from another coach, and I couldn't resist dropping it here on the Blog.  Most athletes get it... they understand teamwork and sacrificing their goals for the team goals.  However, the athletes that are selfish, are also usually the ones that complain the most. (Thanks Alan Stein)

THE SECRET TO BECOMING A GREAT PLAYER

I watched Kung Fu Panda and could not help but think that it was an allegory about coaching today’s generation of ballers.  The panda is chosen as the warrior even though he is fat and out of shape.  He has to prove himself to his teacher before he can read the scroll that contains the hidden powers.  When he finally reads the scroll, it is a mirror.  At first, he is disappointed, as there is no way that he can defeat the more powerful enemy.  He feels that it was a mistake that he was chosen. However, he realizes: The secret is that there is no secret.

There are no magic powers or short cuts.  The secret, regardless of pursuit, is deliberate practice: highly concentrated work in the direction of a specific goal with the right amount of feedback from a quality instructor.  The secret to five-minute abs is a dedicated diet that shrinks one’s body fat percentage to 6-8% for males.  The secret to being a better basketball player is practicing more often and practicing with full concentration on a specific goal.

Otherwise, there is no secret.  No video, book, trainer or coach can make you into a great player.  There are plenty of gimmicky programs designed to promise quick results with a minimum of effort and work.  They are gimmicks designed to entice the lazy, just as the panda assumed that the secrets contained in the scroll would make him into a warrior even without practicing, eating right, etc.

The secret is there is no secret.

(Thanks Brian McCormick)

STRUGGLES DEVELOP STRENGTH

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”

- Arnold Schwarzenegger

PLAY SMARTER - NOT HARDER

On defense, denying your man the ability to catch the ball is a lot easier than trying to guard him once he has the ball.

4:13

IT'S "OUR" SHOT - NOT YOURS

It doesn’t matter how beautiful a swing a baseball player has; if they always swing at bad pitches, their batting average will be embarrassingly low. The same holds true for basketball players. You can have the sweetest looking jumper in the world; but if you take off-balance, contested or rushed shots... you have poor shot selection and those types of shots will likely result in a miss. 

It's not about YOUR shot... it's about OUR shot.  Make every offensive possession count.

(Thanks Tyler Coston)

Defense AND...

Unfortunately, the average player and definitely the average fan, tends to define a good player as an offensive-minded player…one that scores a lot. Although scoring is an important part of the game, a good coach knows that players that “just score” can and usually do have off-nights where nothing falls.

When a one-dimensional player (scorer) has an off-night, their value to their team is diminished. If all they bring is scoring and they have an off-night… they’re not helping their team and a good coach will quickly replace them with a player that brings something else to the team (defense, passing, rebounding, hustle, etc).

Instead of being known as a one-dimensional player (scorer) you want to be known as a “Defense AND” player. A player that is always a dominant defensive presence on the court AND something else (scorer, great passer, rebounder, hustler, etc). A “Defense AND” player stays on the court even when their shot isn’t falling because they bring something extra to the team. 

4:13

PARENTS GONE WILD

Came across a story that really bothered me this morning.  As coaches, most of us work just as hard to instill the right values into impressionable young athletes as we do with X's & O's... and we occasionally have to play the "politics" game, especially with certain parents that have pull at the school and feel their kid is the best and should be starting or be given the most minutes, the most shots, etc (mostly because the parents feel their kids success or lack there of is a reflection on them).  Parents often have a warped sense of reality when it comes to their kids abilities and occasionally they try and use the Administration to get their way.

Checkout this story about a coach (Two State championships in the past four seasons, went 32-0 last season, and named Coach of the Year twice in the past four seasons) fired by the Administration because an influential donor.

(Thanks Winning Hoops)

AN MVP PUTS "TEAM" BEFORE SELF

When Tiago Splitter joined the Spurs this Summer, many felt that he would be the “Big” that the Spurs had been desperately lacking. Yet Splitter’s lack of playing time (only 11 mins/game) this season begs the question… “Why isn’t he playing more?”

In Spain, Splitter was The Man. Everything ran through him. He was the Spanish league regular season and finals MVP. But that’s obviously not the case in San Antonio. He’s pretty far down the totem pole with the Spurs. Luckily, his skills translate to becoming a solid role player (defense, setting picks, etc.).

Splitter on his transition to the NBA: “At Baskonia, all the plays went through me, and on the majority of those the decision-making was mine. Here, I’m a supporting player, the roles changed, everything changed. The transition has been very complicated, but I know that in two to three years I’ll be able to have a starring role on the team, with plays designed for me. At this moment, while the team is winning, I only think about coming in and maintaining the good state [chemistry] of the team.”

He readily admits the NBA game is different and more difficult than the Euro game and that he is still learning.  When others would be complaining about playing time, his handling of the difficult transition from Euro-MVP to NBA role player shows his maturity and focus on “team” over self.

(Thanks 48 Minutes of Hell)

NIKE'S VISUAL TRICK MADE OREGON LOOK FAST

I think I became an Oregon fan this season just based on their multiple color combination uniforms.  Here is a link that gives some insight into what Nike was trying to create.  Link


(Thanks Rick Allison & Fast Company)

BOB KNIGHT MINI-CLINIC

Coach talks through a 4 on 4 scrimmage and why it is better than 3 on 3

(Thanks iHoops)

WHERE WILL YOU BE TOMORROW?

Our thoughts and our actions determine our destiny, and our destiny determines our legacy. You are today... where your thoughts have brought you, and you will be tomorrow, where your thoughts and actions take you.

(Thanks John Maxwell)

THOUGHTS FROM THE BENCH

“It’s better to be prepared for an opportunity that never presents itself, than to be unprepared for one that does.”
- Alan Stien 

“Adversity is part of life's curriculum. How you bounce back from it determines your grade.”
- Coach Bru

“Saying you want to get better is too vague. Unless you are clear on what "better" is, you will never achieve it. Define it to achieve it.”
- Mark Fritz

4:13

WHY ARE YOU PLAYING?

There is nothing special about wanting to win, every single team (and every player) wants to win. But very-very few of those teams (or players) have figured out the secret to winning.

Championships aren't won by accident. Championship teams win because they focus on the important stuff. They understand that when they walk into the gym, it is all about business. They take the floor with an intense focus on improvement. There is no time for goofing around, save that for your driveway. The best teams practice with purpose. They have a plan and work on those specific things that they will likely encounter during a game. They practice game-like skills at game-like speed.

Are you playing to win... or are you just playing?

(Thanks Matt Grahn)

DON'T CHOKE UNDER PRESSURE

Are you suffocating your talent?  Do you get so stressed that it makes you tighten up before big games?  Can't play loose or with a lot of confidence?

What's wrong?

If this is happening to you, just remember this: "keep it simple" - This game is simple, shooting and passing is simple, having this state of mind lets you play free and with balance.

When you're in a slump everything seems so complicated, but in reality it's really not.  Consistently remind yourself of just how simple this game really is and focus on the small things you can do to help your team win.  Things like boxing out, playing solid defense and diving on loose balls.  If you focus on the small things, the bigger things will come.

(Thanks iAthletes)

HABITS

“I believe you can never change a habit, or create one, with a word or piece of chalk.  You can talk all day, put all sorts of diagrams on the board, but a habit is not going to change.  It’s a conditioned reflex, created by a repetitive act.  Coaches say, “Stay down low, you gotta get low, but that doesn’t mean a thing if the hid hasn’t physically practiced how to stay low.  Habits are created through physical acts.”


From "A Good Man: The Pete Newell Story" by Bruce Jenkins

(Thanks Coach Starkey)

TURN YOUR "I WISH" INTO YOUR "I WILL"

Far too often, players waste time daydreaming about the type of player they want to become.  And that's usually as far as it gets, just daydreaming.

If players spent the same amount of time per day practicing to be the player they want to become... as they spend daydreaming of being that player, the court would be full of great ballers.

The first step to actually becoming a great player is to turn your "I wish" into your "I WILL."

No more blaming your circumstances.  No more blaming your coach.  No more blaming others.  No more blaming your schedule.  No more excuses - period!  Not today - not ever again!  From this point point forward, decide that whenever you are challenged you will respond with "what am I going to do about it?" and follow that up with "I WILL."

Success is the byproduct of determined & focused effort.  If it were really that easy... you would already be great.  Use this moment, right now, as your starting point!

4:13

SEEK CONTACT... DON'T AVOID IT

Although basketball is more of a finesse sport than football, basketball is still a contact sport.  Unlike football, there are no blitzing linebackers looking to separate your head from your body, but you, as an offensive player should have the attacking mentality.  Rather than working to avoid contact – you should actively seek to make contact with the defensive player guarding you.

As an offensive player with the basketball, you want to have an attack mindset and operate in straight lines, not loops and arcs.  Too often, players allow defensive contact to force their penetration off their line of attack.  This happens because the skill is not consolidated by athletes.  Basketball players aren't used to constant contact, nor having to play through the contact an entire game.

(Thanks Lyndsey Fennelly)