The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife
Whose judgement upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says You're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please-never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test,
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.

5 keys to a building a Program: John Shulman

Coach Shulman was one of my favorite coaches to recruit me during my high school career.  He is currently the Head Coach at UTC where I know they will rebound from a tough season a year ago.

1.  Give Belief to you players

2.  Be true to yourself

3.  Care for your players-they will kill for you-You cannot trick them

4.  Do the right thing- No shortcuts

5.  Don't let your team do something ALMOST right in practice.

Six ways to bring out the best in people

1.  Keep courtesy and consideration for others foremost in your mind, at home and away.
2.  Try to have fun without trying to be funny.
3.  While you can't control what happens to you, you can control how you react.  Make good manners an automatic reaction.
4.  Seek individual opportunities to offer a genuine compliment.
5.  Remember that sincerity, optimism, and enthusiasm are more welcome than sarcasm, pessimism, and laziness.
6.  Laugh with others, never at them.

"Be more concerned with your character than you are with your reputation.  Your character is who you really are, while your reputation is merely what people think about you."   John Wooden

TEAM WORK

Coming together is a beginning...Keeping together is progress....Working together is a success.

Teams are effective if you enjoy being around each other.

Teams need people who will not give up in the face of problems and in fact will be energized by the challenge.

Teams need support from the outside.

Teams will endure conflicts.  How we handle the conflict is very important.

Teams that are successful have trust among all members.

Teams that have trust must have trustworthy teammates.

Teams dont find fault;they find a remedy

Teams success is determined by the whole, not by individuals.


TEAM

Together.  Everyone.  Achieves.  More

Gold Standards

1. No Excuses
a. We have what it takes to win

2. Great Defense
a. This is the key to winning the gold
b. We do the dirty work

3. Communication
a. We look each other in the eye
b. We tell each other the truth

4. Trust
a. We believe in each other

5. Collective Responsibility
a. We are committed to each other
b. We win together

6. Care
a. We have each other’s backs
b. We give aid to a teammate

7. Respect
a. We respect each other and our opponents
b. We’re always on time
c. We’re always prepared

8. Intelligence
a. We take good shots
b. We’re aware of team fouls
c. We know the scouting report

9. Poise
We show no weakness

10. Flexibility
a. We can handle any situation
b. We don’t complain

11. Unselfishness
a. We’re connected
b. We make the extra pass
c. Our value is not measured in playing time

12. Aggressiveness
a. We play hard every possession

13. Enthusiasm
a. This is fun

14. Performance
a. We’re hungry
b. We have no bad practices

15. Pride
a. We are the best team in the world and we represent the best country

Choice not Chance

Great post from Coach Starkey's blog!  It is a daily must read www.hoopthoughts.blogspot.com


Choice not chance, determines destiny.  Choose to become a champion in life.

1.  Choices dictate life's opportunities, so make choices with great care.
2.  Your "little choices" do matter.  You must commit daily to seeking out the right choices for yourself, and operate according to a belief system that all your choices do matter.
3. It is crucial to practice "right thinking" which means to think deeply, think clearly, and allow yourself to feel deeply.  All of those are part of the process of making reasonable choices.
4.  Keep your power.  Recognize that you are in control and continue to develop your "power" further.  Incorporate a mind set to "stay in the moment" to fortify self-determination and your power to perform
5.  If it's meant to be, it's up to me.  Always remain focused and embrace reason over emotion at all costs.

Joanne P. McCallie

Nine Promises

1.  Promise yourself that you will talk health, happiness, and prosperity as often as possible.
2.  Promise yourself to make all your friends know there is something in them that is special and that you value
3.  Promise to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best in yourself and others.
4.  Promise to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as your are about your own.
5.  Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
6.  Promise to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future.
7.  Promise to wear a cheerful appearance at all times and give every person you meet a smile
8.  Promise to give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
9.  Promise to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit trouble to press on you.

Attitude

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company...a church...a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude....I am convinced that life is 10 % what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.  And so it is with you....we are in charge of our attitudes.

CENTRAL BASKETBALL

Dreams

The difference between a realist and dreamer is...A realist sees the chance for failure.  The dreamer sees the chance for success.  Dale Brown

There comes a time, a time in every man's life when he is faced with a personal crises or monumental challenge.  It is at this time that a man discovers what truly exists deep down inside his soul.

Great men have dreams, hopes and aspirations.  Average men do not.  It is the strength of the will, and the fire of determination blazing inside the soul that leads men to fulfill these dreams, hopes and aspirations.

Great men reach deep down inside their soul to accept, fight and conquer any and all challenges.  Average men never reach this deep and therefore falter and are defeated.  Your will, and the amount of intensity and determination with which you meet challenges, has no correlation with size, speed, and ability.

Along the path of life, in search of our dreams, hopes and aspirations, there are many obstacles, many challenges, and many battles.  Great men are willing to pay the price for success and victory.  Average men are not and later live to regret it.

You see, the will is the backbone of the soul.  The fire within great men's souls blaze greater, and their will is strengthened with each battle, each victory.  These men constantly strive to reach their ultimate goal---their dreams.

Robert Kennedy once said,  "Some men dream things as they are and ask WHY?  I have dreams that never were and say WHY NOT?!"

Hubie Brown: Secrets of Winning Basketball

1.  Be on time for practice and games.
2.  Play Hard-No guy is bigger than the team
3.  Know your job.
4.  Do your players know when to pass & shoot?
5.  When you leave an area replace.
6.  You need a short and a long pass.
7.  You must be able to reverse the ball.
8.  Pass the ball to the player least expected to get it.
9.  The further you are away, the more open you are.
10.  Jump-up when guarding the inbounder
11.  You can make buzzer-beating, half-court shots if you practice them
12.  Smart passes to half-court make for effectice clock management
13.  Never let the inbounder make a uncontested pass
14. When you see people run good stuff use it
15.  Grab your teammates shirt to get away from your defender.
16.  Stay at least 3 feet from the sideline when catching an inbound pass.
17.  On screen and roll, dribble twice and turn the corner to score.
18.  Good spacing prevents one defender from guarding two players.
19.  The post defender will try to defend the curl off of a screen
20.  If the defender follows, curl off the screen
21  If the defender shoots the gap, bump off the screen
22  Hook the defenders arm to isolate on the rebound
23  Make contact use wide base on block out
24  Every time the ball is picked up jam and turn the shoulder
25  Front every post up
26  Young teams have to get more shots
27  What is your % on the break? 2 vs 1, 3 vs 2, 4 vs 3
28  The reward is the score

Central High School

After spending 5 years as a Florence Falcon I have traded my Blue for Red/Black.  Its tough and sometimes overwhelming to take over a program in the middle of the summer.  Over the past couple of weeks I have tried to begin placing my stamp on Central Basketball. 

One of the first tough decisions I faced was whether or not to conduct tryouts.  I decided due to vacations, football, church camps, etc.  we would just operate day to day with the athletes who are interested in playing next season.  We will conduct a tryout in the fall until then we will continue to improve daily.

One my goals is to make our facility as nice as possible.  I believe in taking care of your gym!  Coach Meyer's #1 rule was everybody picks up trash.  We are going to do our best to turn this into a first class organization.

The players so far have been outstanding.  They are learning everyday and adjusting to their third coach in three years.  I know that has been tough on this group of Seniors but they are going to be the first piece of the foundation that we lay during this rebuilding process.  Everyday somebody different tells me Coach Bryant you can win here football is too important....My mindset is that Central will win on the football field and then we will win on the basketball floor. 

My next step is hiring a staff.  Conducting day to day operations without a single coach 7th-12th has been tough.  There is so much teaching that has to be done.  I hope over the next couple of weeks we are able to fill some slots with people who want to apart of making Central Wildcat Basketball important again.

"Failure to Prepare is preparing to Fail."

Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together.

Coach Bryant

How to Motivate Yourself

1.  Read something positive every day.
2.  Remember your uniqueness and real worth.
3.  Try to "give yourself away" each day.  It's difficult to stay "down" if you are trying to "lift" someone else
4.  Make a habit of associating with winners and avoiding losers.
5.  Avoid gossip.  It's entertainment for vacant minds and is a loser's game.
6.  When you begin to feel overwhelmed or depressed, take a step in the direction of changing something.
7.  Learn to accept people and trust them.
8.  Make a habit of studying for growth.  If you don't like to study, do it until you do.  It's only a habit and you can cultivate it.
9.  Put your "mission ahead of your commission."
10.  Develop the habit of keeping promises to yourself.  Every time you do, you get stronger.
11.  You are the one who determines what your reaction is going to be.  To Anything.
12.  Make a decision only when you feel positve because the decision must be based on "Is it right?" not "Is it convenient?"
13.  If you accept people with empathy, with understanding, with high regard and without judging them, you are then in a position to begin to communicate.

Core Values

Great text tonight from Florence Baseball Coach Warren Fowler.  He is improving the Falcons program everyday. 

Core Values:
1.  Have a Positive Attitude
2.  Have a Great Work Ethic
3.  Compete in EVERYTHING you do
4.  You must be willing to sacrifice


My favorite piece of advice I got tonight was "Keep Pedaling." 

Everyday we are improving at Central!  Its going to take time but BIG things are coming.

New Beginnings

Finally taking a break from what has been a hectic 6 days.  Last Thursday I was named Head Boy's Basketball Coach at Central High School in Florence, Alabama.  Since that night I have been meeting with, working out, calling trying to get our future team in place.

It was a tough decision to leave Florence City Schools after 5 years but it was a opportunity to good to pass up.  I am thankful that I had the opportunity to work in a school system which has many resources.  I learned many valuable lessons that I can use the remainder of my career.

One thing I think your never prepared for is walking in to a major clean up process.  I have been cleaning daily with the mind set that we will have a beautiful facility for our players and community to enjoy.  We are well on our way to meeting that goal.

My goal for Central High School is to make basketball important again.  We will find a way to play a exciting brand of basketball and win with tough hardnose defense.  We must improve everyday we take the floor and work out in the weight room.

Play Hard. Play Smart. Play Together.

Josh Bryant

Head Boys Basketball Coach
Central High School

Eddie Fogler: What I would & Would not Do Today

Coach Fogler gives some great ideas on building a program and thoughts for coaches as they go through their careers.

Develop a positive relationship with the athletic director:
A.  Do not be fooled.  There is not a "Jeremy Foley" athletic director at every school.
B.  Work your ass off to establish a great relationship with your athletic director.
C.  You need to have a mutual understanding with your athletic director.
D.  The athletic director is key when looking for your first or next head coaching job.

Kevin O'Neil came up with the "five & dive" philosophy:
A.  Take a program that is down, work hard for five years, build the program up, and the "dive" for another rebuilding job, for more money.
B.  Leave when you are doing well, it's hard to find another job when you're losing.
C.  Biggest mistake coaches make is staying at one school for too long.

It's hard to sustain a program when you are constantly trying to figure out how you are going to play:
A.  Take a job where you can recruit the kind of athletes you need to play your style.
B.  Recruit athletes who fit the way you want to play.
C.  Create a brand of play, it helps you recruit.

Recruit Shooters
A.  They will win games
B.  Get your best players on the floor.
C.  Play Small
D.  If you can put four shooters around one low post scorer, they are unselfish, move the ball, and move themselves, you will be successful.

Advice to young coaches:
A.  Never be held hostage: when you become a head coach, you want to be successful, don't play a guy who will not do the things you preach and believe in as a coach.  Sit down any player who has his own agenda and does not play with the team
B.  As a young head coach, hire and older, former head coach who knows a lot of the issues.
C.  Players will play their hardest for a coach who develops the best player-coach relationships.
D.  If you can't go to practice every day and enjoy seeing your team and have fun coaching, then you should not be coaching.  Enjoy your players.

16 Consistent Characteristics of Greatness!

WOW!  Today I received a newsletter from Coach Mike Neighbors assistant women's basketball coach at the University of Washington.  In the newsletter he attached his notes from Villa 7 (a program create by VCU/Nike where the top mens and womens assistant coaches meet to learn about becoming a head coach).  One of the speakers was Don Yaegar his Characteristics of Greatness are off the charts!

Enjoy!

HOW THEY THINK
1.  It's Personal- They hate to lose more than they love to win
2.  Rubbing Elbows- They understand the value of association
3.  Believe- They have faith in a higher power
4.  Contagious Enthusiam- They are positive thinkers

HOW THEY PREPARE
5.  Hope for the best, BUT- They prepare for all possibilities before they step on the field
6.  What off-season- always working towards the next game....the goal is what's ahead, and there's always something ahead
7. Visualize-  They see victory before the game begins
8.  Inner Fire- They use adversity as fuel

HOW THEY WORK
9.  Ice in their Veins- They are risk takers and don't fear making a mistake
10. When all else fails-  They know how and when to adjust their game plan
11. Ultimate Teammate- They will assume whatever role is necessary for the team to win
12. Not just about the Benjamins- They don't play just for the money

HOW THEY LIVE
13.  Do UNTO Others- They know character is defined by how they treat those who cannot help them
14.  When no one is watching- They are comfortable in the mirro....They live life with integrity
15.  When everyone is watching- They embrace the idea of being a role model
16.  Records are made to be broken- They know their legacy isn't what they did on the field.  They are well rounded.

Marc Iavaroni

Going through a packet of notes from the University of Florida Coaches Self Improvement Clinic I came across some thoughts from Clippers Assistant Coach Marc Iavaroni.  Coach Iavaroni has been a player and coach in the league for many years.

Know Your Players:
Know your players as people.
This guy likes the fray, he likes the battle, put him into those kind of situations.
Know they player off the court, on the golf course, in the dorm room, in the cafeteria, in social situations.
Know what there strengths are.
Know who your decision makers are, your screener's (tough guys)
Dont put your players in positions to fail.

Philosophy of the game:
If you want to know about great offense, talk to the great defensive coaches.  Talk to them about what they can't handle, find out what works and gives them trouble.
If you can guard pick and roll offenses well, you've got a pretty good defense
Basketball is a game of counters.  What do they do and how are we going to counter it?
It's all about penetration.  If we can keep penetration to a minimum we don't have to rotate and create problems where we have penetration in the paint.
With Coach Wooden it was about recruiting quickness.  Trying to get a player that was quicker than an opponent and create mismatches at every postion.

Recruit Shooters:
If you space the floor and have good shooters on your team you will be successful.
Coaches can run a play for an open shot, but if they guy misses, most people (fans not coaches) think it's bad offense.

Fast-Break and Flow-Break:
Should be running for layups
Most teams in the NBA run for layups
In a 3 on 2 or 3 on 1 situation, if a player is open for a layup there is no hesitation in giving him the ball.
You need to recruit four good shooters and an ass kicker.  Three-point shooters are like archers:  They dont have to get their hands bloody, they just kill from a far.

Bob Hurley: Building a High School Program

Philosophy

Develop a style that fits your personality and the kids you are coaching.

Give yourself time to build a strong foundation for success (5 years)

Build a feeder program that stimulates interest and teaches fundamentals.
A.  Stress development over winning
B.  Open practice to feeder kids to watch, get them involved.
C.  If no JV game, allow them to play before varsity game.

Freshman and JV programs should be mirrors of the varsity program, coaches must see the big picture

Keep a maximum number of kids on all your teams.

Keep kids with size and build them up with positive encouragement
Know backgrounds of kids (parents size, etc.)

Building block has been PG's, dont worry about size, just their heart
Handle the ball, defend the ball, make FT's

Cultivate an identity for your team
Play Hard, good guards, play fast at older levels

Image
Team should reflect student body

Market your playerss from the time they arrive at school

Get kids to camps, AAU games, summer workouts

Have assistant coaches that love the sport and know the kids and mission

Dress your teams and coaches
A.  Varsity gets 2 sets of practice gear
B.  9th/10th gets 1 set
C.  Coaches get sweat suits, sweaters, etc.

Schedule an overnight trip during the season (Team Bonding)

Play a style that is player friendly and gives multiple players a chance to shine.

Correct shooting form early and often

Keys to success
A.  Emphasis on Fundamentals and making kids better players
B.  Build players up physically and push fitness
C.  Get players to play hard every day

Ger players to really guard people

Give players freedom on offense

Make the assist your most important stat

WIN Stats:  Deflections, Charges Drawn, Loose balls, Blocked shots, contested shots, block outs, def. rebounds, throw aheads.

Give players a basketball contract to sign and parents sign.
Address Team Standards
A.  I will represent myself, my team, my family properly at all times.
B.  I will take my education seriously, knowing that my education is for a lifetime.
C.  I will refrain from the use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs
D.  I will be on time for school, school or team activities, practices, and games and understand that I must communicate in advance when I will not be able to attend via a parent or guardian.

Doug Collins

Several years ago thanks to Coach Sonny Conwill I had the opportunity to attend Duke's Coaching Clinic.  Over the course of 2 days we saw several practices and heard different speakers.  Coach Doug Collins now the Head Coach of the 76ers was one of the speakers.  His team a #8 seed in this season's Eastern Conference knocked off the #1 seeded Bulls last night.  Here are some notes from his talk:

Good Shot/Bad Shot:  Time and Score, One that is expected by teammate, one that a player can shoot a high percentage.  You can defend against it if they miss.  Let players know what is a good shot.

Responsibilites:  Game Plan, Matchups/Subs, Clock Management.

Good Teams finish quarters good.   Use your Time outs wisely.  What 5 guys do you trust to finish the game?

Pat Summitt- Energy, Effort, Execute.  Demand the 1st 2.  We will teach you how to execute.

Coaches:  Be Passionate Love what you do.  TEACH!  Give Something Back

Be the type of coach/leader/teacher that you would want to play for.

Anything is possible when you believe.  You find out how much you love the game when you get your heart broken.

Always look ahead.  The rear view mirror is just there to check where you have been.

Always be yourself.  Be who you are.

Never be afraid to fail.

With every defeat there is a lesson.  Do not lose the lesson.  Always be willing to learn.

Billy Donovan's Attitude Plan

Always making today my best day

Taking pride in a job well done

Treating others with respect

Isolating my negative thoughts

Treating tasks as opportunities

Utilizing my talents every day

Doing the job right the first time

Expecting positive outcomes daily

Speaking well of others every day.

Habits

I am your constant companion.  I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.  I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.  I am completely at your command.  Half the things you do you might just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.  I am easily managed you must merely be firm with me.  Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.  I am the servant of all great men; and alas, of all failures as well.  Those who are great, I have made great.  Those who are failures, I have made failures.  I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a man.  You may run me for profit or run me for ruin-it makes no difference to me.  Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet.  Be easy with me and I will destroy you.  Who am I?  I am HABIT

Bob Starkey: Skill Development Concepts

Coach Starkey was recently hired by Coach Gary Blair at Texas A&M.  Starkey's blog Hoopthoughts is a great resource for all players and coaches!  I learn something new everyday I check it out.  Here are 11 concepts from his Skill Development workouts.

Concept #1: Dont just work on your players weaknesses- stretch and further develp their strengths

Concept #2:   Maximize indivdual workout time. dont just work on fundamentals, work on relationships

Concept #3:  Measure when you can.  Stats can help

Concept #4:  Always utilize video when possible

Concept #5:  Sometimes skill development needs to be in a team setting as opposed to individual

Concept #6:  Singleness of purpose will create quicker improvement, confidence

Concept #7: Catch them doing something right.  Don Meyer

Concept #8:  Break down the whole and create a part method drill

Concept #9:  Constant repetition but with variation.  Same concepts

Concept #10: Be prepared.  Dont wing it.  You will gain respect of players when you have a thought out plan.

Concept #11:  Be a great communicator.  Simplicity.  Less is more.  Terminology.  Not what you say but what they hear.

Kevin Eastman: Thoughts

Coach Eastman of the Boston Celtics is a must follow in the Twitter world.  He is a great clinic speaker and his individual development workouts are second to none.  Today I have complied a list of random thoughts he put out on Twitter.

Enjoy!!

Coach Bryant

The best leaders lead every day, year round; through good &bad; through failure & success.  Keep group headed in direction of their goals!

Competitive drive, high motor, high character:  all traits that are present on all winning teams.  Key part of putting teams together.

Leadership is much more powerful when it's about "what they see" vs.  "what they hear" from you.

It's 1 thing to see the action; the key is to communicate it!!

The average person does things.  The successful person does things right.  The best learn how to do it very well & do it their best every time.

Leading with the heart is a phrase often thrown about.  Make sure its combined with your head & your gut as well.

Being a leader you often have to tell people what they dont want to hear but its what they need to hear.

Why not me?  is a great question to ask yourself.  In order for it to help you- you must give a truthful answer!

Encourage everyone to read something today about the profession you are in.

Every day: work hard; learn more; live right; be your best.  Great formula for all of us to live by!  Bound to get results you want!

For many coaches its the offseason.  For the best coaches its actually the "ON" season.  Time to get better/learn more.

In sports you always have your "antennas up"  and have a keen awareness as to what is going on around you. Same holds true in business.

No way around it.  Any change you want to make has to come from inside first.  Inside your mind and your heart.  The "will" & the "emotion"

Part of leadership is motivation those you lead.  So you must know what actually motivates each person.  The critical part is tapping into that.

Don Meyer: Rules on Winning

1. Work Hard
2. Stick Together
3. Have the right attitude
4. Be positive; don't criticize, look to compliment.
5.  Improve every day, especially as a person.
6. "How badly do I want it?"
7. Know that no one can beat you; you beat yourself.  Morale is what motivates the best to get better.  As you think, so you shall be.  A spirit of devotion and enthusiasm for the team and pupose....Until you find a purpose higher than winning, you will never win.

Alan Stein

Coaches,

This is the post from this morning's Coaching U newsletter.  If you havent done so sign up at http://www.coachingulive.com/  they have new content every Monday morning! 


Are You A Effective Leader?




By: Alan Stein



http://www.strongerteam.com/



I try to build my success, brick by brick, and aim to get a little better every day. One of my focal points is improving my leadership. In my opinion, the words 'coach' and 'leader' should be synonymous - so if I want to be the best coach I can be - I must continually grow and develop as a leader.



Some folks think leaders are born; some think they are developed. I happen to think it is a little bit of both. Regardless, anyone can work to improve their leadership skill set. The traits needed to be a successful leader apply to both players and coaches at every level. If the coach is the only leader in the gym; that team won't be very successful. Players need to accept leadership responsibility as well.

“An army of asses led by a lion will always defeat and army of lions led by an ass.”



I heard legendary coach Don Meyer say that at a clinic in Las Vegas a few years ago. While that quote certainly makes me chuckle, it is brilliant. You can't underestimate the power of a great leader. Great leaders make the impossible seem possible.



Here are 5 traits necessary for effective leadership:



Learn from your mistakes. To be a good leader you have to take calculated risks. You will certainly make mistakes along the way. Admit them. Learn from them. Don't repeat them! You show me someone who doesn't make mistakes and I will show you someone who doesn't push themselves very hard.“Success comes from good decisions. Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions.”



Lead by example. The old adage “do as I say, not as I do” undermines your ability to lead. If you expect something from the people you lead, you have to expect it from yourself. You must hold yourself accountable before you can to the same for others. If you expect your players to be on time; then you need to be on time. You can't talk the talk unless you walk the walk. “Example is not the main thing when influencing others; it is the only thing.”



Be unselfish. Compassion and empathy are important leadership qualities. It is impossible to be selfish and be an effective leader. Leadership is about serving others. Do you listen to your players' and assistants' feedback and thoughts? “Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people's interests first.”



Have confidence. You have to feel good about yourself to be a good leader. No one is going to follow someone who doesn't believe in themselves. Confidence comes from a sound work ethic and from being prepared. If you are going into a game and aren't confident you can’t win; it's because you know you didn't do what was necessary to prepare! “Winning breeds confidence and confidence breeds winning.”



Set a high standard. If you do everything to the best of your ability, then you can expect it from those you lead. If you are always on time, always work hard, and always put your heart and soul into every practice, workout, and game - then you can expect your players to do the same. But you have to trust your players can meet this standard. A good leader will inspire those they are leading. You want to be the type of leader who raises the level of everyone around you. Set the bar high and then lead them to it! “The quality of a person's life is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.”



These are just some of the traits needed to be an effective leader. Your ability to be an effective leader will dictate your success as well as your team's success next season.



Are you an effective leader?

Alan Stein

Nick Saban on Self Discipline

"At some point you're going to suffer through 1 of 2 things: the pain of discipline (because it's not always easy to be disciplined) or the pain of regret (because you'll always be disappointed in what you accomplished if you didn't suffer the pain of discipline)."

"Discipline is to do what you're supposed to the way it's supposed to be done."

"Everything you do, everything you have, everything you become is ultimately the result of the choices you have made.  You have the power to direct your life.  How will you use it?  What's your choice?"

"You have to have discipline to do things on your own.  There's not always going to be someone to make you do it.  You have to have discipline to do it yourself."

"There's no easy way.  I never said it would be easy.  Never said football would be easy, I never said school would be easy.  It's going to be difficult-most things worth having are!"

Don Mattingly on Team Concept

Don Mattingly was one of the many great New York Yankees.  He was a all star first baseman and a great hitter.  He is the current manager of the LA Dodgers

Team sports are really difficult things, sometimes your team wins because of you, sometimes in spite of you, and sometimes it's like you are not even there.  Thats the reality of the team game.  At one point in my career something wonderful happened; I dont know why or how, but I came to understand what "team" meant.  It meant that although I didnt get a hit or make a great defensive play, I could still impact the team in an incredible and consistent way.  I learned I could impact my team by caring first and foremost about the team's success and not my own.  I dont mean by rooting for us like a typical fan-fans are fickle.  I mean care, really care about the team....about "US."  I became less selfish, less lazy, and less sensitive to negative comments.  When I gave up me I became more.  I became a captain, a leader, a better person and I came to understand that life is a team game.....and you know what?  I've found most people arent team players.  They dont realize that life is the only game in town.  Someone should tell them.  It has made all the difference in the world to me.

Don Mattingly

Pat Summitt: A Gift to Love

The things Coach Summitt did for women's basketball and basketball as a whole will last a lifetime!

She carried this passage in her planner.  Great thoughts for everyone in leadership

You can love me, but only I can make me happy.
You can teach me, but only I can do the learning.
You can lead me, but only I can walk the path.
You can promote me, but I have to succeed.
You can coach me, but I have to win the game.
You can pity me, but I have to bear the sorrow.
For the Gift of Love is not a food that feeds me
It is the sunshine that nourished that which I must finally harvest for myself.
So if you love me don't just sing me your song
Teach me to sing, for when I am alone
I will need the melody.

Dan Baker

Basketball: The Don Meyer Way

Got to give a shout out to Terry Fowler Head Womens Basketball Coach at the University of North Alabama.  I borrowed this DVD for him and gained more knowledge into the mind of Coach Don Meyer.  Coach Meyer did a unbelievable job building programs and developing great young men.  If you havent seen this DVD its worth taking the time to watch.  The following comes from the very end after a win Coach Meyer gave this handout to his team:

When victory is achieved, that feeling can be overwhelming.  Keep your common sense about you and be gracious.  Silence is often the best tactic after you win.  If you must talk, praise your opponent and praise your teammates.  Never praise yourself.

Why do so many athletes feel the need to tell everyone what happened-how they won, how well they performed?  If you win, if you are good, people will see it.  They will know without you telling them.  Your job is to perform, not report.

Self praise is for losers.  Be a winner.  Stand for something.  Always have class and be humble.

The most important thing to do after winning is to get right back to work.  Winning can actually become a negative if you become satisfied with yourself.  Even in victory be critical.  Look for mistakes you might have made.  Never be completely satisfied always search for ways to improve.

My biggest guard is against becoming to satisfied when we win.  There are many times when you have to put the joy of winning behind you and look ahead to what really is uncertainty.

John Madden

Making Tough Decisions

Just finished reading Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell.  Great motivational book and causes you to evaluate yourself.  The following comes from the Chapter on Responsibility Strengthens Your Talent.

Most people have a tough decision in their jobs or personal lives that is waiting to be made.  They put if off ad put it off.  What's yours?  Why aren't you taking action?  Write the reasons so that you know without a doubt what they are.  Now write down the advantages of making the decision.  Are there any clear, concrete, and compelling reasons for putting off the decision?  If so, write them down.  At this point, you know in your heart what you should do.  Do it, and stand by it.

Muhammad Ali

To become one of the best at whatever you do you must be able to fight through adversity. Stick with your plan and keep striving to be the best day after day. Muhammad Ali, nicknamed "The Greatest" said, "Champions arent made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them-a desire, a dream, a vision."

Buzz Williams: Marquette Program Organization

Coach Williams has done a great job keeping the Marquette program on top. His story of working his way from a guy begging for a job to a high major D1 coach is well documented. He shows by working hard things work out in your favor.

Character Revealed

1. Life Lessons: Every player in the program meets on Sundays during the off season for 1 hour and 18 minutes and discusses life. Led by Coach Williams

2. Story Time: The night before every game Coach Williams tells the team a story. Helps to calm his nerves

3. Boot Camp: Takes place 15 days before the start of practice. This is a emotionally draining series of conditioning drills done without a basketball. Players choose teams each day so it is competitive and requires thinking and strategy. "This is when we become a team." Players who do not complete boot camp for whatever reason do not get practice gear until it is completed.

4. The words we use: A set of vocabulary words that becomes the language among those in the program. All players and coaches speak this language so everything is consistent and clear.

*If a blind man sat courtside at your practice What would he hear?

Don Meyer: Secrets to Building a Championship Basketball Program

When it comes to building a championship program and doing it the RIGHT way Don Meyer is the best in the business to study. He built his programs with fundamentals and hard work. Every opportunity I get to spend some time reviewing notes from his clinics or program I do so.

Try to get all the good ideas you can, understand you cannot use all the good ideas.

Write everything down that you can and then decide what will fit your program, personality, you personnel, your state, your religion, and your league.

3 Requirements:

1) Everybody takes notes. The richest 500 people in the US shared the fact they take great notes.
2) Everybody is courteous. Must say thank you, please, yes sir, no sir. When you are courteous it pays and when you are discourteous you pay. Every person that is part of an organization that comes into contact with the public is a salesman. Every person in your program is a salesman and you have to teach everyone in your program to be courteous. If everyone is not courteous your program is going to pay.
3) Everyone picks up trash. You leave the locker room cleaner than you found it. On the great teams, everyone does the dirty jobs. Everyone has to do the dirty jobs on great teams starting with the coaches.

Wooden: "You can always do it better." You can never be satisfied. Never let the players or coaches become satisfied becase you can always do it better.

Keeping a Personal Edge as a Coach
You have to have time by yourself to have that edge. You got to have solitude. You got family, you got coaching, and you got that third place where nobody can get to you. This place is where you can study, think, or pray. You pray first for others then yourself.

The beginning of wisdom is to know that you are not so smart. Humilit comes before honor.

Wise people are humble.

You can never retire. You have to find something to occupy yourself for entire life. The saddest day of your life is when you are no longer productive. You have got to keep an edge.

If you do not have leadership at the top, your program is in terrible shape. We know what leadership is by the absence of it.

Talent always rises to the top. Having a team, always stay at the top. A man bent on revenge must first dig two graves.

It pays to be a winner.

Coach Wooden would bring in his leaders of his team and say three things:
1) You have to be our hardest workers.
2) You have to take care of stuff off the floor.
3) Leave everything else to the coaches.

If your best player is not your hardest worker it will be a miserable year even if you win it all.

You need to know on your team who your players would put in a foxhole with them. You do not put someone in your foxhole you do not really trust.

Jimmy Dykes: Thoughts

Here are a few notes I complied from ESPN basketball analyst Jimmy Dykes.

1. Coaches want "Everyday" Players. Play hard every possession. Go to class every day. Do the right thing all of the time.

2. Coaches must look at themselves first after game. What did I not get done to prepare?

3. If you are not tough, you will not win consistently! Get loose balls. Refuse to get screened. Don't let one mistake compound.

4. If you can't talk it-You can't execute it.

5. You must score consistently from 3 areas: Free throw line. Around the basket Open shots

6. Quality of our shots vs. quality of our opponent's shots determines W's and L's

7. Cut with a purpose. Cut like you are going to get the ball!

8. Must shoot 30% or better from the 3 point line.

9. It's not the number of plays you run, it's how well you run them that matters. Execution is everything.

10. Great players embrace contact and get through it. They make plays regardless.

11. Protect against straight line drives to the basket. Guard your yard.

12. Contain the ball in the middle third of the floor.

13. Communicate on all ball screens

14. Any form of selfishness must leave. It can't be tolerated! On Court. Off court

15. Substitutions. Trust their effort. Trust their memory. Trust their talent.

16. Emphasize who you are every practice and every game. Create and maintain an identity

17. Everything in your program is either taught or it's allowed.

18. Fix problems immediately. Don't let something small turn into something big.

19. Work them as hard as you are willing to love them.

20. Hold everyone in your program accountable for everything they do. Yourself. Staff. Players

I have learned that faith means trusting in advance, what only makes sense in reverse.

Michael Jordan on Leading by Example

It comes down to a very simple saying: There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. You can practice shooting 8 hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way.

If you dont back it up with performance and hard work, talking doesnt mean a thing.

I've always tried to lead by example. That is just my personality. I never led vocally. I never really tried to motivate by talking because I dont think words ever mean as much as actions.

They always say a picture carries a thousand words. So I tried to paint a picture of hard work and discipline.

But a leader has to earn that title. You aren't the leader just because you're the best player on the team, the smartest person in the class, or the most popular. No one can give you that title either. You have to gain the respect of those around you by your actions. You have to be consistent in your approach whether it's basketball practice, a sales meeting, or dealing with your family.

A leader can't make any excuses. There has to be quality in everything you do. Off the court, on the court, in the classroom, on the playground, inside the meeting room, outside of work. You have to transfer those skills, that drive, to whatever environment you're in. And you have to be willing to sacrifice certain individual goals, if necessary, for the good of the team.

Tom Izzo: Success

Do you know what Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo had his team do at their first practice of the 1999-2000 season? No shooting drills. No ball handling drills. No defense, no rebounding, no passing, and no sprints. At the first practice he had his players practice cutting down the nets. That's right, they practiced cutting down the nets! It must have worked because less than 6 months later Coach Izzo and the Spartans did cut down the nets at the RCA Dome after they beat Florida for the national title. Success can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Anthony Davis Dad: Words of Wisdom

Neat Story:

The following comes from author and motivational speaker Don Yaegar: So as we were wrapping up the National Player of the Year presentation to Anthony Davis, a father and son approached Davis's parents and the father asked Mr. Davis if he could offer any advice that might help his 11 year old become as special as Anthony. Mr Davis said: "Listen to your father and appreciate that he's part of your life. Not enough young men like you have that. Let that give you an advantage." As they walked away, the father had a tear in his eye. Nothing better than those unscripted moments.

Muffet McGraw

Tonight Notre Dame tries to end Baylor's perfect season in the national title game. Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw has done a outstanding job this season knocking off UCONN three times. The following is her statement on chemistry: "It's difficult for me to respect anyone who tries to undermine the team, and, unfortunately, it only takes one player with a bad attitude to destroy team chemistry."

Bob Starkey: Getting Caught up on your Reading Materials

One of my daily readings is to check UCF assistant basketball coach Bob Starkey's website. His blog http://hoopthoughts.blogspot.com is a great resource. The website site is a great tool for everyone involved in leadership or motivational job. Check it out.

Today my blog is going to be a recent post Coach Starkey put out about catching up on your reading. He had the opportunity to learn from the former LSU coach Dale Brown.

In the busy world of coaching, it is sometimes difficult to keep up on my reading material. There are articles in magazines but even more importantly there is a ton of information on the internet. The question is when to read everything. An idea I got from Dale Brown, the most avid reader I've known, is to keep a file with everything you'd like to read and carry it with you on the road. Down time in a terminal, flight, bus ride or hotel stay can allow you to catch up on your reading. I keep a manilla folder in my desk drawer and when I come across a magazine article I tear it out and place it there. Same with internet articles print them and place them in the folder. Then when I hit the road I place it in my back pack and take advantage of travel time to get caught up on my reading. Of course highlighting and underlining important passages as Coach Brown also taught me.

George Raveling: Achieving Success

Its been a couple of weeks since my last blog post. Today I am going to share a few of my notes from Coach Raveling talk about Achieving Success. He spoke at this past summers Coaching U Live event. If you are not receiving their emailed newsletters check out their website.
*Make a way out of a no way.
*Its a partnership a shared responsibility.
*Never forget how you got to where you are.
*Take the road less traveled.
*Dare to be Great. Step outside the crowd.
*If not you WHO? If not now WHEN?
*Be a innovator. Do things differently.
*Never forget the importance of having friends in high places.
*Always plant a lot of flowers on the way up because you will have to pick them on the way down.
*The person who talks the most get the least information.
*Get your face in front of the right people at the right time.
*The best decisions in life are made from a balanced perspective. Dont build walls around yourself.
*The minute your bosses leave you better look to leave.
*The true test of a relationship is how you deal with the relationship in a time of crisis.
*The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow, but do good anyway.
*Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable. But be honest anyway.
*What you spend years building can be destroyed over night, but build anyway.

Mike Dunlap: St. John's

Coach Mike Dunlap has worked in the NBA and college game. He is currently working for Steve Lavin at St. John's University. I complied a few of his thoughts from Coaching U Live.

*Left hand contest to a right hand shooter.

*Mind set of WE not ME.

*1-1-3 Zone: Pin the ball to the sideline. Force to corner. Never let ball be driven through elbow.

*When teaching zone dont allow offense to dribble the ball.

*Pete Newell: When watching/scouting games never look at the ball. Look away from the ball you can see all 10 players move.

*Praise. Prompt. Leave. Key in coaching.

*Be passionate about what you want as a coach.

*People will pay to watch your teams play hard.

* Your voice can be a unbelievable teacher. Be in control of your emotions.

*Always be ready to practice. Bring energy. Everyday

*Know thy personel.

*Culture is defined by what your players say when your not around.

*Don Meyer: Have personal records for your players in drill work. Give them recoginition for beating their records.

Doc Rivers: Managing and Motivating your Team through a Season

*Its key to get your best player to learn and be the leader.

*Why do football coaches get 11 guys to execute and its hard for us to get 5 to execute. Why? There are 92-93 possessions a game. Every dead ball, FT situation, etc. is a opportunity to huddle or for a coach to impact the game with instruction.

*Always steal from each other. Once won a playoff game by running a play he saw his son's high school team run.

*It's great to have knowledge but it's more important to get your players to understand your knowledge and believe in what you do.

*It's not what you know its what you get your players to believe in. For your team to be successful they need to: 1. Buy into you 2. Buy into your system 3. Bu into the cost of the season

*Players must buy into you as a coach then sale them their role and your system.

*Be a star inside your role.

*Michael Jordan told Doc after they won the championship: Your stars will be stars after winning it they will be hungry to get back. You have to worry about your other guys. They will want a increased role

*Every single day get your hands dirty. Build relationships and partnerships

*Listen to your players as a coach. They know stuff.

*When Doc took the Celtics job he wrote notes to all former players inviting them back for games or practice. He has 2 people assigned to handling tickets for former players.

*Powerful Partnerships=Winning Teams

*Low character guys are called cows. How many cows can you have before the herd goes in the opposite direction.

*If the coach is always the leader your in trouble because in crunch time your players have to lead on the floor.

Jay Bilas: The Best Stuff I have seen from college coaches

When it comes to broadcasting Jay Bilas is one of the best in the business. His insights on the game of college basketball are great. This summer he spoke at the Coaching U Live event in Orlando, Florida put together by Kevin Eastman and Brendan Suhr. If you havent signed up from their weekly newsletters do so at http://CoachingULIVE.com

Here are some of my favorite ideas from his presentation:

*Be responsible to the element accountable to the mission.
*Help rules: FAT on the mid-line. Get skinny through the screen.
*TCC: Trust, Character, Commitment
*Pitino: Play the ball. See Your man
*Mckillop: Respect the ball. See your man

Brad Stevens: In order to talk you have to be able to listen. Make the players talk. Set the energy. They have to do it in the games.

Phil Jackson: Once told his team in practice they could not talk on offense or defense. Once the players started getting killed on screens they realized the importance of talking.

*Your big guys need to be your best talkers on defense.

*In order to play your best you have to have a free mind. Players dont need 4 different opinions when they come off the court.

Tommy Amacker: I will coach the players on the floor you coach the bench.
The last part has to be the strongest part. Finishing you make a great move but dont finish what good did it do.

*It is a good or bad shot when it leaves your hand the result does not decide.

Bob Knight: Dumb loses more games than smart wins.

*Discipline is doing the right thing at the right time to the best of your ability.

Butler: Have a WE first attitude

*As a coach your a guardian of culture. Teach winning 365 days a year.

*Post Play: Pause for poise on catch/chin

Tom Crean: "Less volume more creativity."

Coach K: Winning championships is not a goal that is a destination. Our goal has to be to get better and grow closer as a team everyday. Then we will reach our destination.

*There is a difference between being a leader and being in charge. Anybody can be in charge. Make sure your people eat first. Treat people the right way.

The Coaches

Coaching is a difficult job, and there is no clear way to succeed in it. One cannot copy another who is a winner, for there seems to be subtle, secret chemistry of personality that enables a person to lead successfully, and no one really knows what it is. Those who have succeeded and those who have failed represent all kinds-young and old, inexperienced and experienced, hard and soft, tough and gentle, good natured and foul tempered, pround and profane, articulate and inarticulate, even dedicated and casual. Most are dedicated, some more than others, but dedication alone is not enough. Some are smarter than others, but intelligence is not enough. All want to win, but some want to win more than others, and just wanting is not enough in any event. Even winning is often not enough. Losers almost always get fired, but winners get fired, too.

He is out in the open being judged publicly almost every day or night for six, seven, or eight months a year by those who may or may not be qualified to judge him. And every victory and every defeat is recorded constantly in print or on the air and periodically totaled up.

The coach has no place to hide. He cannot just let the job go for awhile or do a bad job and assume no one will notice as most of us can. He cannot satisfy everyone. Seldom can he even satisfy very many. Rarely can he even satisfy himself. If he wins once, he must win the next time too. In the end, almost certainly, he will be fired.

They plot victories, suffer defeats, endure criticism from within and without and brook rumors that they are on their way in here and out there. They neglect their families, travel endlessly, and live alone in a spotlight surrounded by others. Theirs may be the worst profession-unreasonably demanding and insecure and full of unrelenting pressures. Why do they put up with it? Why do they do it? A few retire, but most hang on desperately, almost unreasoningly. Why? Having seen them hired and hailed as geniuses and gaudy party-like press conferences and having seen them fired with pat, phrases such as "fool" or "incompetent." I have wondered about them. Having seen them exultant in victory and depressed in defeat, I have sympathized with them. Having seen them, broken by the job and die from it. That is why I write this book.

Nick Saban: The Process

I believe even as a basketball coach we should study other sports top coaches. I have a great set of notes from one of the all time great in college football Coach Saban. He preaches "The Process every year and it seems to be working 2 National Championships in the last 3 seasons.

We are not going to talk about what we are going to accomplish, we are going to talk about how we are going to do it.

The scoreboard has nothing to do with the process. Each possession you look across at the opponent and commit yourself to dominate that person. It's about individuals dominating the individuals their playing against. If you can do this...if you can focus on the one possession and wipe out the distractions...then you will be satisfied with the result.

Focus on the play like it has a history and a life of its own.

You can get from A to Z by passing up B.

There's no mention of titles. Instead, his message has been that the way to win a championship is to concentrate on what you're doing today, and try to build on that tomorrow.

It's not the end result. Don't think about winning the SEC Championship. Dont think about the national championship. Think about what you needed to do in this drill, on this play, in this moment. That's the process: Let's think about what we can do today, the task at hand.

Being the absolute best isn't natural. You must bend your entire life around being great. Beat the urge to rest after you've achieved a taste of success.

Once you get good, you need a total disposition about being better than good. Now the challenge is to be the best and that's a never ending process.

Kevin Eastman Thoughts

Kevin Eastman is a assistant coach with the Boston Celtics. He does a great job with clinics and coaching u live. His materials are awesome and really cause you to think. Today I have complied a few of my favorites:

Intent is great if followed by action; intent is personally debilitating if left alone as it slowly erodes confidence & the will to advance

Do your job and do your job completely.

People always ask me about KG-my response is always the same: He wants to be the best & do the best he can every day! Practice & Games.

It takes 3 things to be a special player: talent, character, and competitive fire

Some are satisfied with who they are. Others are consumed with who they can become. I call this group "The Best"

Culture is 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

The best shooters in the NBA are consumed with the fundamentals of their shot; every day-every shot; the details are there.

All great players are on a never ending journey to stay at the top; it's the pride of greatness! They refuse to settle!

The best teammates build up not tear down; they encourage not discourage; they help not hinder; they walk with not in front of teammates!

Once someone can do what you do and one more thing, you are replaceable.

Finish-a very powerful word must be a staple of your vocabulary; not just finish plays-finish everything you start in your life-never quit on yourself.

Alan Stein Thoughts

Been awhile since I posted to my blog. Today I have complied some thoughts from Alan Stein the Strength Coach at Dematha High School. He creates lots of awesome information for coach follow him on twitter @AlanStein
Also many great resources on his website www.StrongerTeam.com

*Everything of value is hard to get. Most people miss success because they werent willing to pay the price.
*A good leader is a person who can step on your toes without messing up your shine.
*Stand up for what is right, even if you are standing alone.
*Success is not a matter of chance; its a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.
*If I advance, follow me. If I stop, push me. If I fall, inspire me.
*Success happens when you stop talking and start doing. Don't talk about it, be about it!!
*Be more concerned with what you can do for others than what others can do for you. You'll be pleased with the result.
*Stay in the moment. There is nothing you can do about the past and the future is never guaranteed.
*Dont base your attitude on what you've experienced in the past. Base it on what you would like to experience in the future.
*Focus is important. If you try to chase 2 rabbits, both will escape.
*Motivation is what gets you started. Heart is what keeps you going.
*Have respect for, without fear of, every opponent you play. Have confidence without cockiness in regard to yourself and your team.
*Those who say it cannot be done should not interupt those who are doing it.
*Losers visualize the penalties of failure. Winners visualize the rewards of success.
*Successful people make a habit of doing things unsuccessful people dont like to do.
*Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to stay there.
*You can't always change things in the world, but you can always change things in your world.