Don Meyer

Got a great packet of Don Meyer stuff from Coach Perry Hunter in Indiana. Check out his blog coachperryhunter.blogspot.com

Want to share some great thoughts that was enclosed.

Live beneath your means

Return everything you borrow

Stop blaming other people

Admit it when you make a mistake

Give clothes not worn in 3 years to charity

Do something nice and try not to get caught

Listen more; talk less

Every day take a 30 minute walk

Strive for excellence, not perfection

Be on time

Don't make excuses

Don't argue

Get organized

Be kind to kind people

Be kind to unkind people

Let someone cut ahead of you in line

Take time to be alone

Reread your favorite book

Cultivate good manners

Be humble

Realize and accept that life isnt fair

Konw when to keep your mouth shut

Go an entire day without criticizing anyone

Learn from the past

Plan for the future

Live in the present

Don't sweat the small stuff

It's all the small stuff.

-From a Quacker newsletter

The Easy and the Hard

Bad is Easy. Good is hard.
Losing is easy. Winning is hard.
Talking is easy. Listening is hard.
Watching TV is easy. Reading is hard.
Giving advice is easy. Taking advice is hard.
Flab is easy. Muscle is hard.
Stop is easy. Go is hard.
Dirty is easy. Clean is hard.
Take is easy. Give is hard.
Lying is easy. Truth is hard.
Sleeping is easy. Waking is hard.
Talking about God is easy. Praying to God is hard.
Watching basketball is easy. Playing basketball is hard.
Holding a grudge is easy. Forgiving is hard.
Telling a secret is easy. Keeping a secret is hard.
Play is easy. Work is hard.
Falling is easy. Getting up is hard.
Spending is easy. Saving is hard.
Eating is easy. Dieting is hard.
Doubt is easy. Faith is hard.
Laughter is easy. Tears are hard.
Criticizing is easy. Taking criticism is hard.
Letting go is easy. Hanging on is hard.
Secret sin is easy. Confession is hard
Pride is easy. Humility is hard.
Excusing oneself is easy. Excusing others is hard.
Borrowing is easy. Paying back is hard.
Sex is easy. Love is hard.
Argument is easy. Negotiation is hard.
Naughty is easy. Nice is hard.
Dumb is easy. Smart is hard.
Cowardice is easy. Bravery is hard.
Messy is easy. Neat is hard.
Poor is easy. Rich is hard.
War is easy. Peace is hard.
Sarcasm is easy. Sincerity is hard.
An F is easy. An A is hard.
Growing weeds is easy. Growing flowers is hard.
Reaction is easy. Action is hard.
Can't do is easy. Can do is hard.
Feasting is easy. Fasting is hard.
Following is easy. Leading is hard.
Having friends is easy. Being a friend is hard.
Dying is easy. Living is hard.

If you ask why all this is so, why is life so hard, I'll tell you, "it just is. Nothing in life that is good and worthwhile comes without effort."

Beverly Heirich

I found this paper in some documents from a camp at Lipscomb University. Great Material.

My new email is jbryant@florencek12.org

Great Stuff from Coach Kevin Eastman

Seven Career Enhancing Thoughts Heading Into Summer

1. Great time to add to your knowledge on the game, coaching, relationship building, your system, and any other area you may be deficient in or need to stay relevant in.

2. Spend quality "think time" putting serious and sustained thought to things that you need to improve on this summer (in your career, about your system, in your life)

3. Phone or visit someone you always wanted to meet up with. Keep in mind that they may be very busy as well, so this may not be easy. But better to try and fail than continually wish you had done this.

4. Youtube people you always wanted to learn from so you can listen to interviews or speeches this person may have given.

5. Google articles about someone you wanted to learn from. I have learned more from this exercise than many people may have by listening to that person live.

6. Work on your health and your body. Get in better shape than you have ever been; it will make you feel better and ultimately help you become better because you will have more energy.

7. Organize your offseason very tightly because this is the time of the year when many put things on cruise. Cruising won't accomplish much, but planning followed by action definitely will!

Think of "SUMMER" as a choice people make: "summ-er" working "summ-er" NOT....who will get more out of their summer? who will grow more from their summer? Individual choice!!!!

Quotes May 17, 2011

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around every once in a while you could miss it." Ferris Bueller

"Be like a postage stamp. Stick to it until you get there." Harvey Mackay

"There's talent all over the nation. If a team really comes together and really executes, you can beat a team on any given night." Brad Stevens

"Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn't make me stronger." Lou Holtz

"Before you begin a thing, remind yourself that difficulties and delays quite impossible to foresee are ahead. You can only see one thing clearly, and that is your goal. Form a mental vision of that and cling to it through thick and thin." Kathleen Morris

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." John Wooden

"The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat." Napoleon Hill

"I have never known a really successful man who deep in his heart did not understand the grind, the discipline it take to win." Vince Lombardi

Great Notes from Celtics Assistant Lawrence Frank

Building Blocks for Success
1. How we play: (A) Smart, Hard, Together (B) Protect the Paint First (C) Force contested 2's
(D) Gang Rebound (E) Attack Mentality (F) Take Great Shots

2. Core Values: (A) Trust & Integrity (B) Accountability (C) Respect (D) Commitment (E) Sacrifice (F) Perseverance

3. Our Culture: (A) Strive for Excellence (B)Hardest Working (C) Most Unselfish (D) Winning Attitude (E) Be a great teammate

4 Cornerstones for Success
1. Competence: You have got to know what your doing.
2. Work Ethic: You have to bring it everyday, just like the players
3. Sincerity and Honesty Count: Tell it the way it is.
4. Reliability: The players have to be able to count on you every day. Be prepared so you can put the players in a position to succeed. If you can help others succeed, your age means nothing. All players want to do is learn and succeed and they don't care who gets them there.

Favorite Quotes May 14, 2011

I have a binder full of quotes and many motivational articles. I use my twitter account @coachjb to find many of my favorite quotes. Today I am going to share some I have read this week. Hope you enjoy!

"Don't wait for the energy to get going. Get yourself moving and create the energy necessary to keep you in motion."

"I'm never down. I'm either up or I'm getting up. It's all about resilience."

"What you aspire to be should never be taken lightly. It should be taken seriously. Seriousness requires informed action."

"Coaching is leading people. Leading people is relationships. Relationships are spending quality time with thos you lead."

"Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has." Billy Graham

"Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. Most of all other people can't stop you. Only you can stop you." Jeffrey Gitomer

"You may not realize it when it happens, but that kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." Walt Disney

"Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings." Ralph Blum

"I would never have amounted to anything were it not for adversity. I was forced to come up the hard way." J.C. Penny

"There is no education like adversity." Benjamin Disraeli

Friday Night Free 4 All!!!

Friday Night Free 4 All!!!

Bill Parcells on Leadership

Fundamental Element of Leadership- Honesty, Brutal Honesty You have to be honest with people-brutally honest. You have to tell it to them face to face and you have to tell it to them over and over again. Sometimes the truth will be painful, and saying it will sometimes lead to an uncomfortable situation. So be it. The only way to change people is to tell them in the clearest possible terms what they're doing wrong. And if they don't want to listen, they don't belong on the team.

The Warrior's Mark

"Each warrior wants to leave the mark of his will, his signature, on the important acts he touches. This is not the voice of ego but the human spirit, rising up and declaring that it has something to contribute. In every contest, there comes a moment that separates winning from losing. The true warrior understands and seizes the moment by giving an effort so intenxe and so intuitive that it could only be called one from the heart." Pat Riley

Twenty Ways to get Mentally Tough

Great set of ideas from Jon Gordon

1. When you face a set back, think of it as a defining moment that will lead to a future accomplishment.

2. When you encounter adversity, remember, the best don't just face adversity; they embrace it, Knowing it's not a dead end but a detour to something greater and better.

3. When you face negative people, know that the key to life is to stay positive in the face of negativity, not in the absence of it. After all, everyone will have to overcome negativity to define themselves and create their success.

4. When you face the naysayers, remember the people who believed in you and spoke positive words to you.

5. When you face critics, remember to tune them out and focus only on being the best you can be.

6. When you wake up in the morning, take a morning walk of gratitude and prayer. It will create a fertile mind ready for success.

7. When you fear, trust. Let your faith be greater than your doubt.

8. When you fail, find the lesson in it, and then recall a time you have succeeded.

9. When you head into battle, visualize success.

10. When you are thinking about the past or worrying about the future, instead focus your energy on the present moment. The now is where your power is the greatest.

11. When you want to complain, instead identify a solution.

12. When your own self-doubt crowds your mind, weed it and replace it with positive thoughts and positive self-talk.

13. When you feel distracted, focus on your breathing, observe your surroundings, clear your mind, and get into the zone. The zone is not a random event. It can be created.

14. When you feel all is impossible, know that with God, all things are possible.

15. When you feel alone, think of all the people who have helped you along the way and who love and support you now.

16. When you feel lost, pray for guidance.

17. When you are tired and drained, remember to never, never, never give up. Finish strong in everything you do.

18. When you feel like you can't do it, know that you can do all things through Him who gives you strength.

19. When you feel like your situation is beyond your control, pray, and surrender. Focus on what you can control and let go of what you can't.

20. When you're in a high pressure situation and the game is one the line, and everyone is watching you, remember to smile, have fun, and enjoy it. Life is short, you only live once. You have nothing to lose. Seize the moment.

As you go along: Del Harris Notes

Another morning reading through notes decided to post the 3rd installment from Del Harris. Think about these statements they are very true.

"Prove you are valuable and success will happen for you. Forget about the entitlements."

Be careful of the player who insists he is all about winning, but doesn't work like a winner. He is usually happy when things are going his way, whether the team is or not.

The team that will accept we over me as a group has a chance to achieve all they are capable of.

There is no "I" in team but there is "ME" but it tears up TEAM to get it. META spells disaster for the team; it says that the "Me Trumps All" the rest of the team.

Doc Rivers: Try to keep the "chemistry guy" on your team. Doc moves the lockers around occasionally to keep the right people together or separated as needs be.

Del Harris: Speak to players often, but more on the conversational level than any other. Get to know them and then prove that you care about them.

5 Levels of Communication

My third post in a series of notes from Coach Del Harris. This one discuss communication with your players. Use each one less than the one before it as you go down the levels.

1. Conversational Level-you have the give and take whereby you get to know they player and he learns you as well. You demonstrate you care. Use this the most.

2. Encouragement Level-voice is animated and enthusiastic. Use it as much as you can, but it has to be a result of real achievement, not just blowing smoke. But the worst to be with is the one you simply cannot please. Be real.

3. Instructional Level- Voice is slightly animated as you attempt to pass on teaching points that may help your player get better, or that may help him understand the team concept. Use often, but mostly in practice or in certain 1-1 situations.

4. Correctional Level- Voice increases somewhat in urgency, but this is not to be confused with screaming. Naturally, this is used on important issues in practices and games to help eliminate errors. Use it as needed, but if it overwhelms the encouragement level, them team will tune you out sooner than later.

5. "Go Nuts" Level- yes, there is a place for letting them know that they have crossed the line in terms of lack of effort or execution or attitude, etc. They must know you really care about certain issues. But, of course you must maintain control here, as it should be a purposeful act. Overdo this level and you will lose your team by Christmas unless you are winning every game.

Game Time Del Harris Notes

1. Be sure you have a helpful game card with you at all times such as quarterbacks have on their sleeve or arm.

2. A good game card will not only have all your play calls, but will have categories that will get you a post up as needed and that tell you what plays you have that will get each position (1 through 5) a shot when you want one of those players to have the ball.

3. On the back of the card make a special situations card you can have in your pocket or an assistant will keep be sure to have plays already diagrammed that are for special late game situations such as: when you need a 3 pointer, or a quick 2, or you have differing amounts of time on the clock to get a shot.

4. Be smart on what you chart and have accountable chart keepers. A possession chart can tell you the pace and momentum of the game because it will tell you how many possessions you have had at every time interval and once you know your best pace, you can tell if you are dictating or if the opponent is.

5. Momentum is revealed by a possession chart in that it shows how many times you and your opponent have scored or failed to score in the most recent possessions.

6. Other charted items may be the fast break game on both sides of the ball, the low post game (scores allowed/how traps have worked, etc.), the pick and roll game (percentage of scores/stops), deflections, penetrations allowed, uncontested shots allowed, and whatever else you deem of real value.

Coaching Bullets from Del Harris

Trying to spend part of the day learning and growing as a coach. Going through some material today I ran across some excellent notes from Del Harris. The notes were passed on from a friend so share with people inside your network!

Before you start:
Be sure you have a mission statement that is current with your current thinking and then stay committed to that statement. Be sure your staff and players understand.

Make sure your philosophy of coaching, of defense, of offense and of dealing with players and other constituents is clear-cut and understood by yourself and staff.

Leave a paper trail. Keep copies of important communications with all relevant parties. Notes, dates, and times of any significant meeting with players, media, etc. can be of value.

Be sure you have a plan for the first day, week, and rough copy for first month of your practices.

Be sure any staff is up to date on current trends in conditioning, nutrition, etc. these change

Be sure to read current book and old standards on leadership, management skills, time management, significant biographies of important people and successful coaches in any sport. You must continue to grow mentally and spiritually.

Revise your drill book (you have one don't you?) to add any new concepts you have picked up and to discard needless ones.

The best drills are the ones you make up that teach specifically the exercise you are trying to teach/correct.

Your drill book should be divided into categories such as: warmup, shooting, fundamentals of offense/defense, fast break buildups for offense and transition defense, half court offense, post offense/defense, trap drills, defense shell drills, situation drills for 1-1, 2-2, and 3-3, game ending situations drills, etc.

Be sure to be clear on all basic defense issues such as your initial and backup coverages relative to pick and roll defense, low post defense, and methods of roation to cover breakdowns.

Make sure your coaches and players understand the concepts of switching on defense such as which teammates will be able to switch with each other on their own as needed or desired unless the game plan or a timeout changes it-have switching partners which normally means that equal size players will switch with one another as needed.

Know that the concept of switching to keep your bigger players inside and your smaller ones outside is often very productive, i.e. "Bigs in, Littles Out" Thus you would not switch a big man out off a downpick or pindown for a small player.

Building Your House

"A carpenter was fixing to retire and tells the company he works for he was through building houses. They ask him to build one more before he retires. He agrees and through the process of building this last house he begins to cut corners, uses cheaper materials, doesn't use the same precision in which he used to and basically built and inferior home. When he's done he give the keys to his boss and says here you go I'm done. The boss returns the key and says thanks for all your hard work and dedication to this company. This home is yours and we appreciate you. Obviously, had the carpenter known he was building his own house he would not have cut corners. You are building your house every day and you don't even know it."

Ray Allen

Ray Allen just set the NBA record for 3 point made field goals in a career. He now has 2,561 made 3's in his career breaking Reggie Miller's long time record. Ray seems to be a very humble player and truly worked his butt off to earn this success. I ran across this blog post from Alan Stein blog.strongerteam.com describing Ray Allen's pregame routine.

I had the pleasure of connecting with Mr. Tommy Sheppard, the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Washington Wizards, prior to their recent game against the Boston Celtics. Tommy is a brilliant basketball mind and was extremely hospitable. He gave us a tour of the Cerizon Center and introduced us to everyone. Tommy is as classy as they get.

I was also fortunate to connect with my friend, Coach Kevin Eastman. As he always does, Coach Eastman took time out of his rigorous schedule to sit and talk shop.

We arrived at the arena at 3:30 p.m. (for a 7:00 p.m. game) to make sure we caught all of the pre-game action. True to legend Ray Allen was the first player to take the court. I got a chance to speak with Ray for a minute-what an amazing guy-no ego whatsoever.

Ray's pregame shooting routine for the day consisted of making 5 shots from 5 spots (corner, wing, center, other wing, other corner) from 5 different distances (close, 2-steps back, mid-range, college 3, pro 3) with 5 free throws in between each set. For those of you keeping score at home, thats 150 makes in about 20-30 minutes. Even though he was spot shooting, there was nothing casual about it. He was low, had his hands up, and was "shot ready" for ever pass and he shot every shot at game speed.

To me, the most impressive part is the fact that Ray has been going through a similar pregame routine for the past 15 seasons! That is a true commitment to excellence. Ray Allen is not an All-Star and one of the game's all time best shooters by accident. HE HAS EARNED IT.

Ray Allen shoots the ball the correct way every time (follow through, everything squared up, great footwork, quick release) For all the young players out there watch how guys like this shoot the ball and by reading that post you can see it doesnt happen over night....You have to be willing to put in the time and effort to make yourself the player you want to become.

The Q-Tipping Mom: Friday Night Free 4 All!

The Q-Tipping Mom: Friday Night Free 4 All!: "Thanks so much to all of my loyal readers & Facebook Fans!! It really means the world to me!! This Friday Night Free 4 All ..."

Magic Johnson on "WINNING"

Magic Johnson was my all time favorite player. He was so unselfish playing the game of basketball getting all his teammates involved. The following is his thoughts on "winning."

When I play basketball, I'm playing to win, nothing else. Not to score, to rebound, to excel in one particular area of the game, but to win. That means I'm a rebounder, a scorer, a passer, even a cheerleader.
It means I'm going to be an example to my teammates of what having a winning attitude is all about.
It means I'll have an attitude of unselfishness that keeps me craving for more championships for my team, not glory for myself.
It means I'll set an example at every practice by practicing longer and harder than anybody else.
It means I'll challenge myself, I'll set goals.
It means I'll think "WE" and not "ME," every time I step onto the court.

Get In the Zone

Ran across these 20 statements from Coach Alan Stein. If get mentally tougher you can maximize your performance on the floor.

1. I play to play well, not to avoid mistakes.

2. I focus on the process of my development and let the results take care of themselves.

3. I "Play Present" one play at a time, and focus on the task at hand.

4. I act confident even when I don't feel confident.

5. I focus on the next play after a mistake or a bad call.

6. I use positive self-talk to coach myself through challenging situations.

7. I focus on what I can control and let go of what I can't control.

8. I trust my abilities and my talents on the court at all times.

9. I think positively toward adversity.

10. I am not afraid to fail, I just go for it.

11. I know that how I think will affect how I feel and what actions I take.

12. I consistently use a pregame mental routine to get myself focused.

13. I visualize myself being successful during the game.

14. I listen to (and Trust) my coaches and I am a great teammate.

15. I welcome pressure because I know I am prepared.

16. I practice (and workout) with the same intensity and focus of a big game.

17. I think calm and act calm when things seem chaotic.

18. I don't let physical fatique cause mental fatique.

19. I am comfortable being uncomfortable.

20. I learn from a loss and focus on the next game.

Bill Parcell's Thoughts

I really enjoying reading how football coaches manage and run their programs. I spent part of my morning reading through some notes on Bill Parcell's. Found some great quotes and statements. Hope you enjoy!!!

"Losers assemble in small groups and complain about the coaches and other players. Winners assemble as a TEAM and find ways to win."

"It doesn't take athletic ability to hustle."

Be on Time. Pay Attention. Practice and Play Hard.

"A coach wouldn't throw you to the wolves if he didn't think you had some wolf in you."

"A coach lives in a black and white world - you win or you lose - And the black side stays with you a lot longer."

T-Shirt Slogans: Who says We Can't & Take Another Step

"If you're a football player and you can't pay attention. I don't want you. If it's not important now, I can't imagine when it would be."

I'm not interested in being a competitive team. I want a champion team. That's the only goal a guy like me can have. I'm not interested in making a team competitive week-to-week. I'm interested in champions."

"I don't have a crystal ball for anything, but what I do have is a plan."

Thought of the Day

"Taking stuff makes you weaker. Earning stuff makes you stronger. Create your own opportunites and excute them. Rely on no one else when it comes to improving your situation."

Bill O' Reilly

Habits

Some thoughts from Coach Pete Newell on 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 Low, you gotta get low, but that doesn't mean a thing if he hasn't physically practiced how to stay low. Habits are created through physical acts.