March 22, 2021 | Tagged Coaching
March Madness Wisdom- Learn from Teams That Win it All
Building strong basketball teams is the job of a significant coach.
If you love basketball, this is your favorite month. March Madness is a perfect time to be a student of the game and learn what it takes to have teams succeed in the big dance. All of us can learn important life principles from the basketball tournament crucible we watch each March. Here are some important lessons you can learn for the crucible moments.
Preparation creates an opportunity for great moments.
Being prepared allows a team to peak at the right moments. March Madness is an intensive crucible that exposes preparation. The will to win is not as important as the will to prepare to win. Preparation is found in routine habits of the team such as sleep health, eating wisely, good decisions by the players off the court as well as preparation on the court including playmaking, strategy, and wisdom down the stretch. The teams that advance have a rhythm and habit of intensive preparation.
Focus and eliminate distractions.
Too many teams get caught up in the hype, lights, nerves, and glitz of the moment. The skillful players and coaches never let this happen. They stay away from the intensity of the media and glamour and focus on the task ahead.
Believe in the basics and remember what got you there.
Teams that try and implement brand new offensive plays and defensive strategies without adequate time will face immediate challenges. Fundamental basics: rebound offensively and defensively, hit your free throws especially at the end, play with great intensity, don’t get out-hustled, stop dribble penetration. Too many inexperienced teams lose sight of their bread and butter and the fundamental tools they have used to get where they are.
Versatility and resiliency are crucial.
A successful team on the tourney has great depth and flexibility. The players can bring what is needed when it is needed. They play better and better as the tournament goes along, with greater chemistry and flow. Great teams are tough-minded and never get shaken by bad calls, tricky situations, or cold shooting spells.
Team-oriented and unselfish point guard leadership.
Personal goals of achievement need to be secondary to the overall goal of the team. The team’s point guard demonstrates this. A selfish point guard equals disaster. The point is the success factor of the team. They dictate the tempo, turnovers, playing style, poise, shot selection, and leadership of the team.
Fire in the Belly
This means "an unquenchable thirst for power or glory; the burning drive to win a race or achieve a goal." This old expression is believed to come from the "pot-bellied" stoves used to heat up homes. It now refers to teams who want to win, who have the intensity, passion, on-fire, willing-to-dive out-of-bounds attitude it takes to win games.
Believe you deserve to be there.
Legacy is huge in the success factor. The mindset that your team is a championship team and deserves to win is an important edge. There is a mental obstacle for teams who have never won the tournament. Every time a team wins the championship, they reinforce the belief they are a National Championship Program.
Success on the basketball court and in life requires these key principles. Which one do you need in your life right now?
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